Alexander Isak has returned to Newcastle United’s training ground after spending time working alone at his former club Real Sociedad’s Zubieta base, catching Magpies head coach Eddie Howe by surprise.
The 25-year-old Sweden international escaped a self-imposed reclusion in Tyneside to train independently in Spain, making it quite obvious that he’s not injured—he flew to Spain to train on his own—while Newcastle’s squad continued their pre-season tour in Asia.
Isak’s now back in the UK ahead of the club’s
final preseason fixtures and the start of the Premier League campaign later this month, although he might never put on the black and white stripes again.
Isak’s return follows Newcastle’s rejection of Liverpool’s £110million offer for the striker, but the Reds are expected to return with an improved offer once the Magpies sign Isak’s replacement—whether that’s RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
Despite the transfer saga and Isak’s clear-cut interest in leaving, the club has continued to publicly support him, or at least not bash him publicly to protect the relationship and eventually—in a miraculous-looking development—welcome him back to the squad.
Speaking from Seoul on Saturday, Howe admitted he learned about Isak’s whereabouts through the media.
“I know where he is, really, through the media,” Howe said. “From that perspective, it’s difficult for me to go into any kind of detail. The situation is far from ideal and is quite complex.”
Newcastle still believe they can retain Isak and have reportedly offered a contract extension with a potential release clause for next summer, but it’s unclear if that offer was the one already rejected by Isak and his camp, or if this is a new proposal presented by NUFC.
Isak has three years left on his current deal, but he’s making it tough for Newcastle to hold onto him that long.
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