Isak Refuses To Play For Newcastle To Force Liverpool Move

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is adamant that he wants to join Liverpool this summer but a deal has yet to materialise for the forward

Alexander Isak has reportedly made clear to Newcastle United that he will not play for the club again as links to Liverpool continue.

The centre-forward has been training away from the main group at his current club as he remains adamant that he wants to depart this summer.

As far as Newcastle are concerned, they are unwilling to let him leave unless a necessary replacement is brought in. The Magpies missed out on Benjamin Sesko last week and are now thought to be eyeing a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

However, with that move not yet advancing, the Reds are in a race against the clock to see if they can bring the Swede to Anfield. Today, further developments have emerged regarding Isak’s future which gives Liverpool reason to be hopeful.

While it comes as no surprise that Isak is not expected to feature for Newcastle on Saturday in their opener against Aston Villa, it seems the relationship between the player and club has broken down further. The Athletic understands that even if the forward is not sold before the September 1 deadline, he has chosen not to play for the club again.

Speculation about Isak’s future has intensified over the summer, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe forced to answer questions on the striker on a regular basis.

“That’s a decision that I won’t make, that will be for other people to make,” he said over the weekend when asked if he would have to let Isak depart the club.

“For me, I’m just trying to manage the situation and manage the team, most importantly manage the group of players that I’m working with day to day, that I love coaching and helping.

“We’re focusing on Aston Villa. Everything else, to a degree, from my perspective is not in my control, so it’s not my focus.”

Liverpoolecho.co.uk