Isak

Swedish international striker Alexander Isak has been training away from his Newcastle colleagues amid Liverpool link.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe admits striker Alexander Isak has control of his future with the club as Liverpool remain interested in signing the Sweden forward.

Isak will not be involved in Newcastle’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave St James’ Park.

The 25-year-old was the subject of a rejected 110-million-pound ($149m) bid this month from Premier League champions Liverpool, who begin their title defence against Bournemouth on Friday.

Howe is desperate to keep Isak, who helped the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool last season while also firing them to Champions League qualification.

Asked if he envisioned Isak playing for Newcastle before the end of the summer transfer window, Howe told reporters on Friday: “As I sit here now, I don’t know that. Alex will control that.”

Isak is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022.

He did not take part in Newcastle’s preseason tour, training alone at his former club Sociedad instead.

Isak has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract, and it is understood he will be fined – the maximum penalty for a single offence is two weeks wages – for missing a competitive match this weekend.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hinted the Reds will submit a second offer – their initial bid was 40 million pounds ($54m) shy of Newcastle’s valuation – but Howe is confident there is a way back for the player should no deal be struck.

“Yes, I believe there is, but of course, discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen,” he said.

“At the moment, I would [expect him to stay], but I’ve got no change of feeling throughout the summer.

“It’s not in my hands, but he’s contracted to us, so that’s why I say that.”

Isak’s stance has angered Newcastle fans, and Howe hopes the striker realises how important the club has been in his development.

“He’s a highly intelligent person, and he knows he wouldn’t have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle,” he said.

“This is a different moment for him and us, and we’re working through that together.”

Howe said he is also focused on strengthening Newcastle’s squad, regardless of Isak’s transfer status.

Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close to completing a move to Tyneside while Brentford forward Yoane Wissa is a target for Howe.

“Yes, we’ve been active for a few, and for whatever reason, they haven’t happened. I can’t deny that, but we’re still actively looking, and I still believe that there is someone there that can fit our requirements,” said Howe, who failed in approaches for Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.

THERE are just four days to go until the new Premier League season kicks off.

Champions Liverpool wasted no time in dropping nearly £300million to bolster Arne Slot’s squad ahead of their title defence.

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But as managers across the division make their final preparations ahead of this weekend, chairmen will be trying to get some more players in through the doors in time for the curtain-raisers.

SunSport rounds up ten mega-money transfers that could get done THIS WEEK…

ALEXANDER ISAK

The Newcastle striker’s future has been one of sagas of the summer – will he stay or will he go?

Liverpool had a £110m offer rejected as the Toon want £150m but how helpful could a sulking, unhappy Isak be for Eddie Howe?

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SAVINHO

The Brazilian winger only joined Manchester City a year ago – seen as very much the replacement for Riyad Mahrez.

But Tottenham have entered talks over the wide man – although City would not entertain offers under £50m.

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MARC GUEHI

The Crystal Palace captain led his side to a second Wembley trophy in three months on Sunday – but could line up for opponents Liverpool this season.

Steve Parish admitted the Eagles will sell if the right bid comes in as Guehi enters the final year of his deal. Newcastle have also been interested.

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YOANE WISSA

The mass exodus at Brentford this summer may not be over just yet if Wissa follows Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken out of the Gtech.

Newcastle reportedly had a £25m bid turned down but look set to go back in for the DR Congo international, with Liverpool monitoring the situation.

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KEVIN

Another Brazilian winger, this time it is Kevin who could be on the move – and heading to the Premier League.

Fulham submitted an offer of £32m but Shakhtar Donetsk are trying to hold out for £43m.

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CARLOS BELEBA

Manchester United want to bring in another midfielder before the window closes – and would love Baleba in time for the start of the new season.

The Cameroon star is only 21 but Brighton will not let him go on the cheap, so much so that the Red Devils may well need to pay a record-breaking £115m-plus for the holding midfielder.

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XAVI SIMONS

Chelsea are after a young, exciting attacker – again. This time it is Xavi Simons being lined up.

RB Leipzig will want at least £60m but the Blues may try and strike a deal which sees Christopher Nkunku return to his former club – plus Tyrique George.

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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Copy and paste from above – but this time it is Alejandro Garnacho who could be on his way to Stamford Bridge with talks underway.

He is part of the ‘bomb squad’ deemed surplus to requirements by United gaffer Ruben Amorim, who will happily see the back of the Argentine wideman who was left out of the USA pre-season tour.

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NICOLAS JACKSON

But with all the incomings at Chelsea – including strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap – there may be a major exit, too, with Jackson third-choice No9.

Jackson would prefer a switch to Newcastle, but the Toon will only bid for him should Isak leave – and they are determined not to let that happen.

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EBERECHI EZE

Just like his skipper Guehi, Eze continues to be linked with an exit away from Selhurst Park.

With the Ademola Lookman deal seemingly off the cards, Arsenal may swoop for the Palace talisman in a package worth £55m to £60m – although Tottenham may attempt to hijack the transfer if they can’t get Savinho.

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Jack Grealish agrees to Everton loan, Chelsea and RB Leipzig in talks over swapping Xavi Simons for Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson favours Newcastle move.

England winger Jack Grealish, 29, has agreed to join Everton on loan from Manchester City. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea are in talks with RB Leipzig over a potential swap deal for Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, that could mean France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, returning to the German club. (Guardian), external

Nicolas Jackson favours a move to Newcastle United should the Senegal striker, 24, leave Chelsea during the summer transfer window. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Newcastle will wait to resolve the future of Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, before deciding whether to move for Chelsea striker Jackson. (PA news agency), external

Newcastle have made a bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa but Liverpool are monitoring the situation as they see the DR Congo forward, 28, as an alternative if they fail to sign Isak. (Caught Offside), external

France forward Randal Kolo Muani, 26, would prefer to join Juventus than Newcastle after spending the second half of last season on loan with the Italian club from Paris St-Germain. (Teamtalk), external

Sunderland have enquired about signing 26-year-old English defender Lloyd Kelly, who has just joined Juventus on an obligation-to-buy move after an initial loan from Newcastle. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

AC Milan are in talks over signing Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, but they want a loan with a buy option whereas Manchester United would prefer a permanent sale. (Sky Sports), external

After signing Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United have shifted focus to offloading England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, and Brazil forward Antony, 25. (Standard), external

Manchester United are considering signing free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the former England striker, 28, left Everton at the end of last season. (Caught Offside), external

Nottingham Forest have made an offer for Monaco’s 21-year-old French midfielder Soungoutou Magassa. (L’Equipe – in French), external

Kostas Tsimikas is edging nearer to leaving Liverpool after being left out of their Community Shield squad, with Nottingham Forest having been interested in the 29-year-old Greece left-back. (Echo), external

Besiktas and Fenerbahce might make a move for Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe, while Rennes and Atalanta have also been linked with the 22-year-old English winger. (L’Equipe – in French), external

Jamaica forward Michail Antonio, 35, says he is talking to clubs in England and abroad after leaving West Ham at the end of last season. (Talksport), external

Enzo Fernandez will not leave Chelsea this summer despite reports in Spain linking the Argentina midfielder, 24, with a move to Paris St-Germain. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr have reached an agreement with France winger Kingsley Coman, 29, over a move from Bayern Munich. (Bild – in German), external

Mali midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, 32, has joined newly promoted Saudi club Neom as a free agent after leaving Everton. (L’Equipe – in French), external

A lot can change in two and a half months.

Isak was among those players celebrating in a jubilant huddle as the Champions League anthem played out at St James’ 76 days ago.

Newcastle had just secured their place at Europe’s top table and it felt like the club had real momentum going into the summer.

However, this has proved a frustrating window for Newcastle, who have missed out on Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford.

Then there is the Isak situation.

It fell to William Osula to play up front on Friday and Anthony Gordon, who is a winger by trade, is set to follow suit against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Yet Isak’s absence, and a lack of signings, has not completely soured the mood on Tyneside.

Saturday’s friendly is a sell-out and, despite this game against Espanyol taking place less than 24 hours beforehand, there were still 30,782 fans present.

They already have an eye on what is to come.

“Is this the way to Barcelona?” supporters in the Gallowgate chanted. “Bayern Munich? Lazio? Roma? The Champions League awaits for me.”

Wissa situation ‘not ideal’

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has given an update on the future of Yoane Wissa.

The striker is allegedly refusing to play for the club after the Bees rejected an offer from Newcastle, who then pulled out of signing him.

Andrews said: “The situation is that he is training at the training ground.

“It’s probably public knowledge at this stage that he left our training camp in Lisbon. That was probably the right decision for all parties. We had to support him in what is a difficult time for him.

“I think we have to remember that it’s not just about being a footballer, it’s the person and the human being first. 

“Again, it’s public knowledge that there is some interest in Wiss. We have to respect that and respect him.

“I have got a really good relationship with Yoane from last season and that’s still the case now, but obviously it’s not ideal.

“We have constant communication with Yoane around the situation. I think he’s OK to a point.

“When you look at the business we’ve done this season, the outgoings have been done early.

“This is probably not wanted or desired, certainly from my point of view. It’s not an ideal scenario but it’s what the transfer window is.”

The noises from Newcastle themselves do not suggest Isak has no future at the club – should a move elsewhere fail to materialise.

The expectation is the 25-year-old will return to training with his team-mates from next week.

“He is still our player,” said manager Eddie Howe.

“He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.

“I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.

“My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.”

That’s the club’s stance – but the supporters may feel a little differently.

Isak has rightly been idolised for his goals, but his desire to leave is a frustration for some.

“We’ve just had an amazing season, in which we won our first trophy in 70 years, and he helped us win that,” said Lee Johnson from the Newcastle podcast True Faith.

“The hope was that this summer would have been a transformation for ourselves but it seems to be turning into a bit of a nightmare now.”

Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey added: “He’s at a club who absolutely adore him. He’ll be on unbelievable money, they’ve won something and they’re in the Champions League – it would have to be some club to want to leave for.

“He has been looked after very well by Newcastle, has three years left on his contract and we’re open to giving him a pay rise, but for him to have his head turned is just disappointing at this stage.

“You have to agree with the fans’ frustration because you have the nucleus of a very good team.”

Newcastle United have rejected an opening offer from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak.

The Magpies value the Sweden international at about £150m, with the Reds’ offer falling below that figure.

There has been no confirmation as to the level of Liverpool’s bid.

Isak was left out of the Newcastle squad for their pre-season tour of Asia as he wants to explore a move away.

The bid from Liverpool has been lodged while Isak trains alone at former club Real Sociedad, amid continued uncertainty around his future.

The 25-year-old joined Newcastle in a £60m move from La Liga club Real Sociedad in 2022.

BBC Sport reported in July that Liverpool were considering a move for Isak worth up to £130m.

Newcastle have maintained he is not for sale this summer, but that has not prevented Liverpool from taking a major interest.

The Premier League champions made an approach to Newcastle last month and have now lodged an official bid.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will make an improved bid for Isak.

But manager Arne Slot is very keen to add the striker to his squad before the new season.

Magpies head coach Eddie Howe said earlier this week the club are yet to receive a bid from any club for the striker.

“[Isak] is still our player. He’s contracted to us,” he added.

“We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.

“We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club.”

Isak scored 27 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle last season.

Howe’s side lost their third match of pre-season on Wednesday with a 1-0 defeat by a K-League XI.

They face fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday.

We don’t necessarily need to come up with a wildcard formation that crams all the new signings into the same team.

If all goes well Liverpool will play over 60 games next season, meaning they will need a regularly rotating front line to keep legs fresh and opponents guessing.

Ekitike as a £69m cover option probably doesn’t sound very appealing, but he will arguably be the second-best player in four separate positions for Liverpool – although Szoboszlai, rivalling Wirtz, might say otherwise.

When you consider injuries, the need to rotate for twice-weekly football, and Slot’s tactical adaptations to the opposition, Ekitike could easily tot up over 30 starts in all competitions even if he wasn’t technically considered to be in the club’s best XI.

Not that managers of elite clubs tend to think in terms of ‘best XIs’ anymore – schedules are too busy and injuries too common for that.

In fact, what fans assume to be their team’s best XI rarely actually play together, as many Liverpool supporters know all too well.

The most mind-blowing example of this phenomenon was first highlighted by Duncan Alexander,, external who pointed out that the supposedly-iconic Liverpool XI under Klopp – the one that started the Champions League final – had never played together before that game and never played together after it.

So, how do you solve the riddle? How do you get all of Liverpool’s new signings into the same team? Answer: you don’t.

Leeds have missed out on Igor Paixao, 25, despite lodging an improved second bid with Feyenoord as the Brazilian winger looks set to join Marseille. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move for Fulham and Spain winger Adama Traore, 29, who previously worked with manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Forest are also on the verge of signing Switzerland international Dan Ndoye, 24, on a long-term contract for a club-record fee after he informed Bologna of his desire to play in the Premier League. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

If Forest beat Napoli to Ndoye’s signature, the Italian club could step up their interest in Manchester City’s Grealish or Manchester United’s 21-year-old Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho. (Sun), external

Everton are interested in Lyon’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 27, who they previously targeted in 2021 when the England midfielder was at Arsenal. (Sky Sports), external

Chelsea have no intention of selling Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 27, amid speculation with clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Football London), external

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, is a top target for Chelsea and the Blues are ready to offer England defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 27, and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, as well as a fee to secure a deal. (Football Insider), external

Bayern Munich are the only club to express an interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, but the Netherlands international prefers a move to the Premier League. (Bild – in German), external

Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are set to miss out on highly rated 20-year-old Frenchman Nathan Zeze, with the Nantes defender preferring a move to Saudi Pro League side Neom SC. (Sun), external

Everton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are battling it out for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, who wants to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester United’s English midfielder Toby Collyer, 21, is open to a loan move away from Old Trafford after making 13 appearances last season. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers have emerged as favourites to sign English winger Mikey Moore, 17, on loan from Tottenham. (Matt Law – Telegraph) , external

Celtic and Strasbourg have submitted offers for Manchester City’s 19-year-old English defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool are ready to break the British transfer record again for Alexander Isak, but Al-Hilal are also preparing a huge bid for the Sweden striker, while Newcastle are lining up Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement, plus more.

Liverpool are poised to make a British record bid for Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25. (Mail+ – subscription required), external

But Saudi side Al-Hilal are also currently preparing a bid, understood to be more than £130m, for Isak after he was omitted from Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour of Singapore. (Talksport), external

Chelsea and Manchester United have ruled out a move for Isak, with the latter having already spent big on Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 26, and Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, 25. (Mail), external

Newcastle have turned their attention to Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko with the 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker the main target should Isak leave. (ipaper), external

Aston Villa have told Manchester United striker Ollie Watkins is not for sale, despite interest in the 29-year-old Englishman from the Old Trafford club. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Newly promoted Leeds United have agreed a deal with Lyon for goalkeeper Lucas Perri worth £15.6m, with the 27-year-old Brazilian expected to undergo a medical at the Whites’ pre-season training camp in Germany. (Mail), external

Bayern Munich are set to bid again for Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz. The Merseyside club are aware of the 28-year-old’s desire to leave and talks will continue. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Liverpool have offered French defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, a new contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid, who are keen to sign him this summer or next. (Footmercato – in French), external

Brazil international Douglas Luiz, 27, failed to report for the first day of pre-season training at Juventus on Thursday as West Ham, Everton and Liverpool all have interest in the midfielder. (Gazetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Chelsea’s English winger Raheem Sterling, 30, has emerged as one of a number of forward targets for Italian champions Napoli. (Calciomercarto – in Italian), external

Liverpool attacker Harvey Elliott is open to leaving the Anfield club, with interest in the 22-year-old England youth international from West Ham. (Metro), external

Spurs are considering a £15m offer from LAFC for captain Son Heung-min as the 33-year-old South Korean mulls over his future. (Sun), external

Real Madrid are open to loaning 19-year-old forward Endrick to another team to avoid hindering his progress, but the Brazilian would prefer to fight for his place at the Bernabeu. (ESPN), external

More on Isak

The dramatic move came as Liverpool REJECTED Bayern Munich’s initial £58.6m bid for Colombian winger Luis Diaz while they are trying to encourage a high-price auction between AC Milan and Saudi money-pots Al-Hilal for Uruguayan Darwin Nunez.

But it is the stunning stepping up of the Reds’ long-term interest in Alexander Isak that has caught Newcastle on the hop, especially as boss Eddie Howe was hoping they were looking to play France under-21 star Etitike alongside

Liverpool chief Arne Slot has led the club’s mourning over the tragic loss of Portuguese star Diogo Jota following his car crash death earlier this month.

Slot and the Anfield hierarchy, though, are also aware that the start of the new Prem season is now less than a month away and that putting together a squad able to retain their crown is critical.

Newcastle are believed to value Isak at £150million, a sum that would be prohibitive even for Liverpool.

But a record-breaking bid, freeing up funds for Howe to bolster his squad ahead of a Champions League campaign in addition to the domestic demands might make Toon bosses think again.

Frankfurt are willing to sell Etitike but their starting price is £85m, although there may be wriggle room for negotiations.

Liverpool’s response to Bayern’s Diaz offer – the German champions fear they will be without Jamal Musiala for the entire season after his horror leg break in the Club World Cup – was a flat rejection although they are looking to offload Nunez.

Liverpool expected to rival Newcastle for Hugo Ekitike, Reds also interested in Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen, and Eintracht Frankfurt reject Magpies’ written offer for Ekitike.

Liverpool are expected to rival Newcastle United for Eintracht Frankfurt’s French striker Hugo Ekitike, 23, after being told Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, is not for sale in this window. (Sky Sports) , external

The Magpies feel the leaking of Liverpool’s £120m interest into the public domain is designed to unsettle Isak. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

As well as Ekitike, Liverpool have also made enquiries about four other attackers in case they are unable to secure a deal for Isak – Aston Villa‘s Ollie Watkins, 29, Napoli‘s Victor Osimhen, 26, Yoane Wissa of Brentford, 28, and Real Madrid‘s Rodrygo, 24. (Mail+ – subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Frankfurt are understood to have rejected an offer from Newcastle worth £69m for Ekitike. (Sky Sports Germany) , external

Napoli have informed Liverpool a deal for Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 26, can be considered off. (Fabrizio Romano) , external

Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 28, has made it clear he wants to leave the Reds after the club rejected a £58.6m bid from Bayern Munich. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Leeds United have reached an agreement in principle for Newcastle’s 27-year-old English midfielder Sean Longstaff. (Athletic – subscription required) , external

Tottenham are rivalling Inter Milan to sign 23-year-old Belgium defender Koni de Winter. (i paper) , external

Bournemouth are holding out for £59m for Ukraine centre-back Illia Zabaryni, 22, who is wanted by Paris St-Germain. (Independent), external

Chelsea are ready to begin a summer clearout with Portugal forward Joao Felix, 25, in talks over a return to Benfica and France’s Christopher Nkunku, 27, also set to leave. (Standard), external

Manchester United have registered their interest in signing Juventus and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer, with Everton also keen on the 27-year-old. (Football Insider) , external

Liverpool and France centre-back Ibrahima Konate, 26, has rejected a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League. (Mirror) , external

The Reds have put a £43.5m price tag on Konate for any clubs interested this summer. (AS – in Spanish) , external

Sassuolo and Italy striker Andrea Pinamonti is attracting interest from West Ham, with London rivals Brentford also enquiring about the 26-year-old. (Standard), external

There is interest from Leeds United in signing Spain striker Gonzalo Garcia, 21, on loan from Real Madrid. (TBR Football), external

Nottingham Forest have made Aston Villa and England Under-21s midfielder Jacob Ramsey, 24, their number one target this window. (Telegraph – subscription required), external