Swedish star shunned in dramatic fallout—sent to train solo as Liverpool pursuit intensifies

Alexander Isak has been dramatically frozen out at Newcastle United as transfer tensions boil over. The 25-year-old striker, once a fan favourite and Carabao Cup hero, was ordered to train alone at the club’s Benton training ground this week—after the rest of the squad had already gone home.

His solitary training session came just days after Liverpool launched a staggering £110 million bid to prise him away from St James’ Park. Although Newcastle rejected the offer, the fallout has been swift and brutal.

Isak was absent from the Magpies’ recent pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea, with the club citing a minor thigh injury. Yet that explanation quickly unravelled when it emerged he had instead flown to Spain to train with his former side, Real Sociedad. He returned to Newcastle over the weekend, just as the rest of the squad touched down from their tour and were granted two days off.

But when the players regrouped on Wednesday morning for training and a post-session family event, Isak was nowhere to be seen. That was no accident. He had been told to report later in the day—once his teammates and their families had left the facility.

It’s a clear message: Isak is no longer part of the inner circle.

The situation has escalated rapidly. Isak had reportedly informed club officials of his desire to explore other opportunities this summer, following interest from Liverpool and speculation of other top-tier suitors circling.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe didn’t hold back when pressed on the striker’s future. “You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United,” he said. “The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.”

His words leave little room for doubt: Isak’s behaviour has not met the standards expected at the club, and Howe is prepared to make an example of him.

Isak has three years remaining on his contract and has so far declined Newcastle’s offers to extend it. With his valuation reportedly set at £150 million, the club is unlikely to approve a transfer unless a suitable replacement is secured—a challenge proving harder than expected.

Newcastle’s transfer window has already been turbulent. Despite efforts to land RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško with an improved club-record bid, the 22-year-old is now tipped to join Manchester United. The Magpies have also missed out on Dean Huijsen, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, João Pedro, James Trafford, and Liam Delap.

Their only successes so far? The signing of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga and a loan move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. With Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff now departed, the squad is visibly weakened—especially up front.

Howe had already been chasing a new striker before the Isak situation spiralled. Now, with their star forward training in isolation and relations appearing frayed beyond repair, the urgency is growing by the day. The Premier League season kicks off in just ten days, and Newcastle’s attack is in limbo.

Clear-the-air talks between Howe and Isak are expected soon, but with tension simmering and trust eroded, reconciliation seems far from guaranteed. Meanwhile, club insiders continue to deny reports of a bid for AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw but admit there is interest in the German defender.

Whether Isak plays any part in the upcoming friendlies against Espanyol and Atlético Madrid remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the Swedish international’s future at Newcastle has never looked more uncertain—or more fractured.