Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted to holding discussions with Alexander Isak over his future but says he remains confident the striker will stay at the club beyond the summer transfer window.
Howe’s comments came after Isak was left out of Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Isak, who is of Eritrean descent, has become one of the Premier League’s most lethal forwards, finishing the 2024–25 campaign with 23 league goals—second only to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
The Sweden international’s form has reportedly attracted strong interest from Liverpool, sparking speculation about a possible summer move.
“It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him,” Howe told the press after the match.
“The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn’t fair to him.”
Despite the growing rumours, Howe expressed optimism about retaining the 25-year-old, who has three years left on his contract and has scored 62 goals in 109 matches for Newcastle since arriving from Real Sociedad in 2022.
“I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window,” Howe said. “It’s difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player. Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team.”
Howe also acknowledged he had spoken to Isak amid the speculation. “Yes, I’ve had discussions with him but that’s not abnormal. I respect a player’s career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he’s trained really well and I realise there’ll be noise around him.”
Newcastle, who secured Champions League football after finishing fifth last season, face Arsenal next in Singapore on Sunday.
