Everything is Possible Over Isak Future – Howe

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says “everything is possible” regarding Alexander Isak’s future, but he insists he only wants players who are fully committed to the club.

Isak has been training away from the main squad after Howe explained that “right now, we can’t involve him with the team.”

Liverpool recently made a £110 million bid for the Swedish striker, but Newcastle turned it down.

Howe said he hasn’t been told by the club’s owners that Isak won’t be sold, even though the player has shown interest in exploring other options.

“There are always talks going on that I’m not directly part of,” Howe said after Newcastle’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday. “Isak is under contract with us. He’s our player. The club decides what happens next.

“I don’t know what that will be. Of course, I have my own preference. I want the strongest squad possible, but also players who really want to play for Newcastle United.”

Isak skipped Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia due to a minor thigh injury and has been training alone at his former club, Real Sociedad.

Howe has previously said that no player should expect to behave poorly and still train with the group as normal. Still, he admitted he would have liked Isak to be playing in the friendly.

When asked what needed to change for that to happen, Howe replied, “That’s not for me to answer — that’s for him to answer.”