Newcastle striker Alexander Isak will remain sidelined for the start of the Premier League season as uncertainty over his future continues.
The Sweden international, who attracted a bid from Liverpool in the offseason, has been training away from the squad after expressing a desire to consider other opportunities.
“Alex’s situation has been unchanged for a while, and that will continue to be the case,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said Friday, ahead of Saturday’s opener at Aston Villa. He declined to comment on whether Isak had been asked to play, calling such talks private.
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Howe admitted the team faced a difficult preseason without their top scorer but praised the squad’s resilience. “They realize, without Alex, everyone is going to have to step up and give more,” he said.
Isak, who joined from Real Sociedad in 2022, scored 23 Premier League goals last season, second only to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Newcastle is also close to signing midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Villa, though Howe confirmed he will not feature on Saturday.
Source: Agency