Alexander Isak facing Newcastle axe as Eddie Howe provides Liverpool transfer update

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has revealed that Alexander Isak "can't be involved" with the rest of his senior squad right now as speculation surrounding his future continues to grow. The Swede has been chased by Liverpool for much of the summer window, with the Merseysiders having already seen one bid rejected.

Isak, who has three years left on his St. James' Park deal, is said to be valued at around £150million by Newcastle. However, Liverpool's first and only bid so far is believed to have been in the £110m region, with Newcastle rejecting the bid from their Premier League rival.

Speaking after Friday night's friendly with Espanyol, Howe said: "We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment we can't have him involved with the group. I don't know how long that will be for. It's clear I can't involve him with the team at the moment.

"He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don't think disciplinary action has happened. He is here, so of course, he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen."

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Isak didn't play any part of the 2-2 draw against Espanyol and isn't expected to feature in Newcastle's final pre-season clash against Atletico Madrid. When asked if he could feature in the opening game of the new season next week, Howe replied: "I want Alex to be playing today.

"I want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us, let me make that absolutely clear. There is no part of me that does not want that outcome. But I don't see the current situation changing before Aston Villa."

Howe was later asked whether Newcastle could stop Isak from leaving altogether, with the English coach replying: "I don't think it is that straight-forward otherwise we'd do that a long time ago. Otherwise we'd have done it. I don't think we are in a position to do that currently. I don't want to go into too much detail I don't think that is right, I think I have said enough."

Following their opening match of the season agaisnt Villa, Newcastle will welcome the visit of Liverpool to St. James' Park. Following that, the Magpies make the trip to newly-promoted Leeds United, with their first match after the international break at home to Wolves.