Eddie Howe confident Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle as he misses friendly
The 25-year-old, who pulled out of Sweden's friendly double header last month because of a groin injury, has been linked with a potential move to Liverpool this summer and, more recently, with Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Howe is desperate to keep the forward, who netted 27 goals last season.
Asked to explain the absence of Isak and Joelinton after the 4-0 defeat, Howe said: 'Both players are fit but we just felt they weren't ready to play.
'Joe's coming back from a long injury, so we need to make sure when he's introduced he's ready.
'Alex has trained this week and is fine but we didn't want to take the risk with him. Alex was with us all the way through Austria but, with all the speculation and things that are going on, I decided to send him home.
'It's purely the last thing Alex wants, if he's not playing, to be sat in the stand. Being under that scrutiny, I don't think that's fair to the player.'
A massive thank you to the 10,000 Geordies who travelled to Celtic Park this afternoon for your incredible support 👏
Safe journey home. Next stop: Singapore! 🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/2KuS1M1V8x
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 19, 2025
Howe declared there had been no formal approach for Isak this summer but added: 'It's difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player. I'd never sit here and do that because it's football and you never know what could happen.
'All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team.
'I've never had any issue with him other than really enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself. Certainly I'm confident that he's going to be here at the start of the season.
'Your top players are so hard to find, they're so hard to recruit, they're so hard to develop and make them into those players. So when you have them, you need to treasure them.
'We certainly and the staff, recognise his talent and his ability. We're of course desperate to keep him part of our team.
'Alex has been really good and he's trained really well so far this season. So I know there'll be lots of noise around it and I can't really control that but from inside, he's been really good.'
Good run out in Stockholm @LUFC 🔋 pic.twitter.com/FX67pVPGc2
— Sean Longstaff (@seanlongstaff97) July 19, 2025
Howe has had his frustrations in the transfer market this summer. Forward Callum Wilson rejected a new contract and the Newcastle manager reluctantly allowed Sean Longstaff to join Leeds on Friday with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules a major factor.
'Sean was someone I never wanted to lose from the squad,' Howe said. 'But as we know and I've said many times, finances, PSR etc, long-term planning meant that sometimes these decisions have to be taken.
'So he's a big miss from our squad. Sean was very, very popular in the dressing room, very popular on the pitch. He did a great job. He tactically understood everything that we needed him to do.
'He's been an incredible servant to Newcastle. But we have to move on now without him.'
On the defeat by Celtic, Howe said: 'I think we looked a little bit jaded. Celtic, I thought were way ahead of us fitness-wise and sharpness-wise. But I think we'll be better for the game.'
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