Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed confidence that top striker Alexander Isak will be at the club at the start of the 2025-26 season, Afrosport reports.
The 25-year-old Swedish forward of Eritrean heritage has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool for a potential British record transfer fee of £120 million.
He was left out of the Magpies 4-0 pre-season friendly loss to Celtic on Saturday which fueled further speculation on a potential exit from St. James’ Park.
Howe however clarified he left Isak out due to the transfer speculations and did not want any attention around it.
“It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him,” he said after the game.
“The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn’t fair to him. But I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window.
“It’s difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player. Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I’m confident he’ll be here at the start of the season.
“Yes, I’ve had discussions with him but that’s not abnormal. I respect a player’s career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he’s trained really well and I realise there’ll be noise around him.”
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
Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season, finishing as the second-highest goalscorer behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (29 goals).
Newcastle be in action next against Arsenal in Singapore next Sunday.
