6 days ago
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Liverpool's transfer target Alexander Isak is set to miss Newcastle United's upcoming pre-season tournament, as per recent reports. The Swedish striker has been sidelined and is training solo after being frozen out upon his return to the North East.
The 25 year old was excluded from their Far East pre-season tour due to a thigh injury, and while his teammates ramped up their Premier League season preparations, he headed back to his old stomping ground at Real Sociedad's training base amidst growing rumours of a switch to Liverpool. Arne Slot's squad have already had a hefty £110million offer knocked back, but the ECHO understands that they're poised to come back with an improved bid following Newcastle's resolute position.
ChronicleLive reports that Isak has been instructed to train by himself after making it known he's keen to weigh up his options, especially with the Premier League champions expressing solid interest in snapping him up.
It's believed that the forward was scheduled for a sit-down with Eddie Howe for the first time since his minor thigh issue kept him out of their pre-season matches.
The Daily Mail suggests that Isak will continue to be left out in the cold for their pre-season friendly tournament at St James' Park, which features games against Espanyol on Friday and Atletico Madrid. They report for Isak to make his exit from the North East, Liverpool must table an agreeable bid and Newcastle need to have "replacement(s)" lined up.
"He's like any other player, we would expect him to come in and train as normal," Howe remarked following their pre-season tour. "There is also another way to look at this. You have to earn the right to train with us. We're Newcastle United.
"The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
"We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
In recent transfer news, Liverpool has confirmed the £46.3million sale of Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, marking another significant exit from Anfield.
Nunez is poised to ink a three-year contract in the kingdom, prompting the Reds to search for attacking reinforcements following a spate of departures this summer.
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