Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been left out of the Magpies’ 30-man squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, sparking renewed speculation about his future with the club amid ongoing interest from Liverpool.
Just days ago, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe assured fans that Isak would “definitely” travel for the club’s friendlies in Singapore and South Korea. However, the Swedish international has now been ruled out of the trip due to what the club describes as a “minor thigh injury.”
The 25-year-old forward, who scored an impressive 27 goals in 42 appearances last season, was notably absent during Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic on Saturday. His continued absence has fueled rumours of a potential summer move, especially following Liverpool’s recent acquisition of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for £69 million — a player Newcastle had bid £70 million for earlier this year.
Despite the mounting speculation, Newcastle maintains that Isak is not for sale. Howe remains optimistic that the prolific forward will stay at St. James’ Park for the upcoming season. “Alex is happy at Newcastle. He enjoys playing with his teammates, the staff, and the team. I’ve never had any issues with him,” Howe said after the Celtic match.
Nonetheless, reports from last week suggest that Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak is far from over, with suggestions that the Reds may have received “private encouragement” regarding a possible transfer.
In better news for the Magpies, young defender Lewis Hall, who has been sidelined since February with a foot injury, has been included in the touring squad and is expected to continue his recovery ahead of the new season.
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Newcastle’s pre-season tour kicks off on Sunday, July 27, with a high-profile clash against Arsenal in Singapore. The team will then travel to South Korea to take on a K-League All-Star side on July 30, before wrapping up the tour against Tottenham Hotspur on August 3.
Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to express concern over Isak’s absence, with many questioning whether his injury is genuine or a smokescreen for an impending transfer deal. With the new Premier League season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Newcastle and whether they can hold on to one of their most valuable assets.
