The future of Newcastle United’s prolific striker, Alexander Isak, remains a significant talking point, with manager Eddie Howe recently admitting uncertainty regarding the player’s immediate return to team training amidst intense transfer speculation linking him with Liverpool FC.

Isak’s conspicuous absence from the Magpies’ recent pre-season tour of Asia only amplified the swirling rumours, leaving fans and pundits alike to ponder his commitment and potential departure from St James’ Park.

Reports confirm that Liverpool has indeed made an official approach for the Swedish international, although Newcastle swiftly rejected their initial bid, deeming it substantially below their valuation. Despite the rejection, an improved offer from the Merseyside club is widely anticipated, yet Isak firmly remains a Newcastle United player for now.

In Isak’s absence, Newcastle’s performances in Asia were mixed, registering two losses and a single draw, including a recent 1-1 stalemate against Tottenham. This period underscores the potential impact of Isak’s presence as the club gears up for crucial home fixtures this week.

As Newcastle prepares for the new Premier League season with two upcoming games at St James’ Park, starting with Espanyol on Friday, the club is keen for all transfer noise surrounding Isak to subside, allowing the team to focus solely on their preparations.

When pressed about Isak’s expected return to Darsley Park for training, Howe candidly stated, “Of course I’d like him to be, but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time. Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home,” highlighting the complexity of the situation.

Previously, during the Singapore leg of the tour, Howe had expressed his desire for Isak to recover from his injury swiftly and return to action, emphasizing, “Hopefully he will be back soon and playing in the black and white shirt, that’s what we want to see.”

Howe also addressed concerns about potential squad distraction, maintaining that the team remains focused. He acknowledged his extensive experience with player sales throughout his managerial career, stressing that the club’s wider interests and decision-making processes are paramount.

Ultimately, the Newcastle manager reiterated his commitment to making sound decisions for the club and improving the squad, irrespective of Alexander Isak’s situation, underlining the desire for stability and a positive group dynamic as the season approaches.