Eddie Howe hoping that Alexander Isak will stay in Newcastle despite transfer speculation

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted on Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to the Premier League Liverpool or Al Hilal champions in Saudi Arabia.

Isak did not trace with Newcastle for his pre-season tour in Asia, apparently due to a minor injury to the thigh, but Howe said that the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key element of his plans.

“Of course, there will always be things going behind the scenes,” Howe told journalists in Singapore, where Newcastle plays Arsenal on Sunday.

“He is aware that he is in the news every day, which, I am sure, is not easy for anyone in this situation.

“Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will remain deprived for obvious reasons. We share a good relationship,” Howwe added.

Isak, who scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season, was “Magnificent for us for as long as he has been with us,” said Howe. “And he is very comfortable in the locker room.”

Isak did not trace with the Magpies after the injury of the thigh held him away from the friendly defeat of Newcastle against Celtic last week.

“He mentioned before the Celtic game that he would be very minimal and nothing too serious”, “ said Howe.

“But he left training very early and did not feel well. So he is now back in Newcastle to have this injury evaluated.”

Howe has remained confident that Isak will wear black and white when the new season is starting next month.

“I said after the match against Celtic, I was convinced that he would remain. I don’t see anything that will change this opinion of me right now.

“It’s football,” He added. “And who knows what the future could bring.”

The Magpies ended their drought of 70 -year -old trophy by winning the Carabao Cup and finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season to get a return to the Champions League.

“I think that once you have felt this feeling of winning, you want it again. So we want to do it again as soon as possible, in all the competitions in which we are,” said Howe.

“We put the bar very high, and there is a lot of ambition within the team.”