Newcastle United have made it clear to Alexander Isak that they may not sell him during this transfer window, much to the annoyance of the forward.
The long run of the Swede has been certainly one of the transfer sagas of the summer, with Liverpool seeing an enormous bid of £110m rejected by the Magpies.
That provide got here after Isak told his club that he’s focused on exploring a move elsewhere, with Anfield seemingly his preferred destination.
The 25-year-old looked set for an exit after he missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia after which joined former club Real Sociedad in training in Spain.
These gave the look of the actions of a player on his way out, however the Magpies are standing firm on their stance.
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The Telegraph report that the Newcastle board have told Isak he will not be going anywhere this summer, nevertheless, this has not gone down well with the player who continues to coach away from the remaining of Eddie Howe’s squad.
The report states that Isak will stay, but unless he is prepared to just accept the choice in the suitable way and dedicate himself to playing for the club again then he won’t be involved in first team duties.
Newcastle have a possible worst case scenario situation on their hands as they’ve chosen to not money in on their most useful asset, but he currently can add nothing to the team.
Manager Howe obviously wants Isak to remain and proceed to play as he has within the last three seasons, which saw him rating 62 goals in 109 appearances for the Magpies.
He stays at midnight over what’s going to occur, though, saying on Saturday: ‘I feel every little thing is in play. I’ve said persistently he’s contracted to us. He’s our player. The club make the choice on his future.
‘I don’t know what that might be. After all I even have a preferred end result. I need the very best and the strongest squad possible, but I also want players that basically wish to play for this football club.’
Alexander Isak Premier League stats
Apps: 86
Goals: 54
Assists: 9
The Newcastle boss has said that he doesn’t expect Isak to play the primary game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa on Saturday August 16.
‘We’ve had discussions and it’s clear for the time being that we will’t involve him with the group,’ Howe said. ‘I don’t understand how long that might be for, but that’s the newest.
‘I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We might love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no a part of me that doesn’t want that end result, but I don’t see the present situation changing for Aston Villa.’
Even when Isak does stay, Newcastle want one other striker of their squad after the departure of Callum Wilson at the top of his contract this summer.
Their pursuit of recent signings has been somewhat disastrous to date this transfer window, missing out on the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
The Athletic report that the Magpies are actually taking a look at Porto and Spain forward Samu Aghehowa, with the 21-year-old ‘high among the many small variety of options’ on their attacking shopping list.
Also being considered are Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Aghehowa joined Porto from Atletico Madrid last yr and scored 27 goals in 45 appearances in his first season with the club.
He wouldn’t come cheaply this summer after signing a five-year contract with Porto which set his release clause at €100m (£86.6m).
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