Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe insisted Saturday that Alexander Isak continues to be a Newcastle participant regardless of hypothesis round a transfer to both Premier League champions Liverpool or Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Isak has not travelled with Newcastle for his or her pre-season tour of Asia, apparently due to a minor thigh damage, however Howe mentioned the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key a part of his plans.
“In fact, there are all the time going to be issues occurring behind the scenes,” Howe informed reporters in Singapore, the place Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday.
“He’s conscious he’s within the information day-after-day, which I’m certain just isn’t straightforward for anybody in that state of affairs.
“Conversations between Alex and the membership or with me will keep personal for apparent causes. We do share a superb relationship,” Howe added.
Isak, who scored 23 Premier League targets final season, has been “magnificent for us for so long as he has been with us,” mentioned Howe. “And he’s very comfy within the dressing room.”
Isak didn’t journey with the Magpies after the thigh damage stored him out of Newcastle’s pleasant defeat to Celtic final week.
“He talked about earlier than the Celtic recreation that it might be very minimal and nothing too severe,” mentioned Howe.
“However he left coaching very early and didn’t really feel proper. So, he’s now again in Newcastle getting that damage assessed.”
Howe remained assured that Isak might be carrying black and white when the brand new season kicks off subsequent month.
“I mentioned after the sport in opposition to Celtic that I used to be assured he would keep. I don’t see something that’s going to alter that opinion of mine in the meanwhile.
“It’s soccer,” he added. “And who is aware of what the long run could carry.”
The Magpies ended their 70-year trophy drought by profitable the Carabao Cup and completed in fifth place within the Premier League final season to safe a return to the Champions League.
“I feel when you’ve skilled that feeling of profitable, you need it once more. So, we wish to do it once more as quickly as potential, in all of the competitions we’re in,” mentioned Howe.
“We set the bar very excessive, and there’s a whole lot of ambition inside the group.”
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