Eddie Howe breaks his silence on Alexander Isak’s future after the striker was left out of Newcastle’s first pre-season friendly amid Liverpool’s pursuit

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says he expects Alexander Isak to stay at the club despite strong interest from Liverpool. 

The Premier League champions are ready to break the British transfer record to sign Isak, despite already spending £116m on Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Isak will cost in advance of £125m and the Reds will move if they receive encouragement from Newcastle.

The Swedish striker was absent from the Magpies starting XI and bench as they suffered a 4-0 defeat by Celtic. 

However, manager Howe expects the 26-year-old to remain in Tyneside this summer.  

Explaining Isak’s absence, Howe said: ‘It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. 

The Premier League champions are ready to break the British transfer record to sign Isak

The Swedish striker was absent from the Magpies pre-season friendly defeat by Celtic

‘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.’

Liverpool have been determined to add a striker to their ranks since they secured their 20th title and while Isak represents the ideal choice, it is very much the club’s modus operandi to have other targets in mind should they be required.

Arne Slot‘s Reds are readying a bid to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who is said to be keen on a move to Anfield.

Newcastle United recently had a £70million bid rejected for the France Under-21 international as it fell £16m short of his release clause.

Liverpool have strengthened this summer with the signings of Leverkusen duo Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, as well as Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

As well as incomings, the club is also working on outogings, with luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Napoli respecitvely.