2 weeks ago
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Only a handful of clubs could meet Alexander Isak's wage demands, with Liverpool and Manchester City among them.
The Newcastle forward continues to be linked with a move to Anfield, despite the recent confirmation of a transfer for Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. On Thursday, rumors surfaced that the Swedish striker was contemplating a summer exit from Newcastle.
Amid the ongoing chatter about his future, Eddie Howe excluded him from the Magpies' squad for their friendly against Celtic last weekend. Prior to this transfer shocker, Newcastle announced that Isak would be absent from its preseason tour of Asia due to a minor thigh injury.
Should he depart St James' Park for another Premier League outfit, his alleged wage demands could make him one of the highest earners in the league's history.
While Liverpool's Premier League rival Manchester City has the financial muscle to chase the striker, BBC Sport suggests it is "unlikely" to do so. Erling Haaland, one of the Premier League's top earners, is under contract until the summer of 2034.
As for the Reds, they are fans of the player, and they would be more than happy to sign him.
Howe addressed the speculation surrounding his star forward, explaining why Isak didn't play against Celtic during a recent friendly. Despite travelling to Glasgow with the team, he was ultimately sent back home.
"It was my decision," stated Howe. "He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.
"Both (Joelinton and Isak) are fit but not ready to play. Alex has trained and is fine, but we didn't want to take the risk with him.
"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 realize there'll be noise around him.
"We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit, and so hard to develop.
"So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course, we're desperate to keep him as part of our team.
"I think it's difficult for me to ever give 100 percent clarity on any player. I'd never do that.
"All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I've never had any issue with him, and I'm confident he's going to be here at the start of the season."
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