Alexander Isak transfer update: Why is Newcastle forward absent from club's pre-season tour? Is he joining Liverpool?

Alexander Isak is not in the Newcastle United squad that has headed to Singapore for a pre-season tour, with the centre-forward's future at St James' Park currently the subject of much speculation.

The Sweden international is regarded as one of the outstanding strikers in world football, scoring 62 goals and registering 11 assists in 109 appearances for the Magpies, including 27 goals and six assists in 42 outings during the 2024-25 campaign.

There is significant interest from the Saudi Pro League in Isak, while Liverpool are also keen, although the Reds have now announced a big-money deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Isak was not involved in Newcastle's pre-season contest with Celtic last time out, with head coach Eddie Howe admitting that he was not present partly down to the speculation surrounding his future.

However, the club's manager said that he was "confident" the striker would be remaining at St James' Park.

Isak absent from Newcastle's pre-season squad

"Both (Joelinton & Isak) are fit but not ready to play. Alex has trained and is fine but we didn't want to take the risk with him," Howe told reporters following the clash with Celtic.

"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. We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. We're desperate to keep Alex (Isak) part of our team."

Isak was a notable absentee when the squad list for the pre-season tour was announced, but according to journalist Craig Hope, he has not made the trip to a "minor thigh injury" rather than the transfer talk.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also commented, with Newcastle 'insisting' that his absence is not due to the speculation surrounding his future.

Will Isak leave Newcastle this summer?

Al-Hilal continue to be linked with Isak, but it is incredibly difficult to imagine him making the switch to the Saudi Pro League at this stage of his career.

Liverpool had been the obvious move, but the Reds have now signed Ekitike, and it is tough to imagine both forwards arriving at Anfield during this summer's transfer window.

Arsenal were also keen, but the Gunners are now closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres.

There is not an obvious suitor for Isak at this stage, especially with Newcastle wanting in excess of £150m for him, so the signs are pointing towards him staying at St James' Park this summer.

However, the fact that he will not play for Newcastle on their tour is worrying, as it is difficult to imagine him being ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign without a proper pre-season.

Newcastle's tour squad in full:

Odysseas Vlachodimos, Nick Pope, John Ruddy, Max Thompson, Mark Gillespie; Emil Krafth, Harrison Ashby, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn, Alex Murphy; Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Alfie Harrison, Travis Hernes, Anthony Munda; Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, William Osula, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, Sean Neave

Written by
Matt Law