Liverpool target Isak controls his Newcastle future: Howe

AFP | London

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Eddie Howe admits Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has control of his future with the club as Liverpool remain interested in signing the Sweden forward.

Isak will not be involved in Newcastle’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave St James’ Park.

The 25-year-old was the subject of a rejected £110 million ($149 million) bid from Premier League champions Liverpool earlier in August.

Newcastle boss Howe is desperate to keep Isak, who helped t h e M a g p i e s end their 56- year trophy drought by w i n n i n g the League Cup final against Liverpool last season, while also firing them to Champions League qualification.

Asked if he envisioned Isak playing for the Newcastle before the end of the summer transfer window, Howe told reporters yesterday: “As I sit here now, I don’t know that.

Alex will control that.” Isak is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022.

He did not take part in Newcastle’s pre-season tour, training alone at his former club Sociedad instead. Isak has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract and it is understood he will be fined -- the maximum penalty for a single offence is two weeks ’ wages -- for missing a competitive match this weekend.