Isak was absent from Newcastle’s opening game of the Premier League season at Aston Villa on Saturday after making it clear that he wants to leave for Liverpool.
Yet after the Anfield club had their first offer for Isak of £110m rejected, there has been a stand-off between the two clubs after the player reportedly suggested he didn’t want to play for Newcastle again.
Now reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid are eying up a bid for Isak, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitting his club is in a challenging position prior to their 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Howe was inevitably asked about the latest on Isak’s future and he offered up a downbeat response.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted Alexander Isak’s immediate future lies in his own hands (John Walton/PA)
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“No different to how it has been for a number of weeks,” said the Newcastle boss. “We are without him. We are adapting to that and still trying to be competitive.
“I don’t think it’s been healthy for us. I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world – if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.
“I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that – it was always going to be there.
“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what’s going on and how to react. But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has refused to directly comment in his club’s interest in Isak, but he confirmed once again that he is keen to add to his squad after their 4-2 win against Bournemouth on Friday night.
Hugo Ekitike has been added to the Liverpool forward line this summer, but Slot is keen to sign one more attacking player
“I see Hugo mainly as a number nine that could also play from the left or play together with another number nine,” said the Liverpool boss.
“It’s clear that with Darwin gone and Luis Diaz gone, and even last season, we had five or six options. I think, again, Diogo [Jota], I need to mention him as well. So yeah, we need to have one more attacker, at least.
“Everyone is saying they added and that added [players], but we have only replaced so far. You never know what’s going to happen in the transfer window.”