3 weeks ago
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Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak was missing from Newcastle United's matchday squad against Celtic on Saturday as the Magpies continue their preseason plans.
Eddie Howe's side began its summer friendlies with a clash against Carlisle United last Saturday, and after training in Austria this week, Newcastle returned to the UK for Saturday's clash at Celtic Park.
All eyes were naturally on Isak given the speculation surrounding his future in recent days. Liverpool enquired about his availability this week but did not launch an official bid for the Sweden star, before turning its attention to Hugo Ekitike. The Magpies had previously been in talks about signing the Eintracht Frankfurt forward.
Meanwhile, several reports on Friday claimed Isak is open to the possibility of joining Al-Hilal, who ironically is owned by Newcastle's majority shareholders, the Saudi Arabia Private Investment Fund.
Given the speculation and intrigue surrounding his future, there was surprise to see Isak had been left out of the matchday squad on Saturday, but Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie claimed via X that both for both he and Joelinton, "their minutes are being managed this early in pre-season".
The Newcastle team does contain several big names, with Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimarares starting, and Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Athony Elanga on the bench.
After Saturday's game in Glasgow, like Liverpool, Newcastle jets off to Asia for a pre-season tour. The Magpies face Arsenal, a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur, before returning to England.
Newcastle's final pre-season games come at home to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid on August 8 and 9, which will give players the opportunity to get 90 minutes in their legs. The north-east side faces Liverpool in its first home game of the season, on August 25.
In the meantime, Newcastle has been linked with a move for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, with a deal for Ekitike seemingly blown out of the water by the Reds.
As for Isak, his future remains uncertain. Reports have indicated the Liverpool will return with a bid for the player if the approach for Ekitike collapses.
He is widely considered the best striker on the market this summer, although Newcastle has repeatedly insisted it has no plans to sell the 25-year-old, who netted 27 goals last season, including two against Liverpool.
A move for Isak would likely indicate a departure for Darwin Nunez. The Liverpool striker has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia this summer, although Napoli's signing of Lorenzo Lucca means Nunez is unlikely to end up at the Serie A champions.
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