Alexander Isak’s agent has suggested the striker’s future may soon be resolved, intensifying speculation about a possible move away from Newcastle United.
“We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player,” Gonzalo Gaitan told Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah.
The 25-year-old Swede has drawn interest from both Liverpool and Al Hilal, a Saudi Pro League club owned by the same Public Investment Fund that controls Newcastle.
Liverpool previously explored
a deal worth £120 million but turned to Hugo Ekitike after Newcastle made clear they would not sell Isak.
Howe responded to the speculation by excluding Isak from Newcastle’s 4–0 loss to Celtic in a pre-season match.
“It was my decision,” Howe said. “I decided to send him home due to all the speculation around him.”
The head coach said the move aimed to shield the player from off-field pressure.
“The last thing he wanted was to be sat in the stands watching,” Howe said. “That wasn’t fair to him.”
Despite the rising uncertainty, Howe remains confident the forward will stay.
“I am confident he will be a Newcastle United player come the end of this window,” he said.
Newcastle sources have continued to insist Isak is not for sale and value him at no less than £150 million, although a simple request from Isak could be enough to force the Magpies into an unwanted, but necessary, sale.
Isak joined Newcastle in 2022 and has since become a key figure in the squad, scoring 25 goals across his first two Premier League seasons.
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