Newcastle United fear Alexander Isak may have played his final game for the club following unsuccessful “clear-the-air” talks behind the scenes, according to Chronicle Live.
The Swedish striker’s focus is now believed to be firmly set on a move to Liverpool, although the Reds are yet to submit a second bid.
Isak has been training at the club’s Benton facility during late afternoons – long after most of his teammates, with whom he won the Carabao Cup last season, have left for the day.
Manager Eddie Howe held private discussions with the 25-year-old last week, but Isak’s absence from the stands for the recent friendly against Espanyol has fuelled speculation that his time at St James’ Park could be over – unless there is a dramatic U-turn.
The idea of reintegrating Isak into the squad was raised ahead of Newcastle’s friendly double-header.
However, his response reportedly made it impossible for him to be selected, despite being fully fit.
The situation has drawn comparisons to Moussa Sissoko’s stance following Newcastle’s relegation in 2016, when he made it clear he no longer wished to play for the club before securing a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Howe is working to maintain squad morale amid the uncertainty surrounding Isak’s future.
The Newcastle boss believes playing the unsettled striker could harm team spirit just days before the new season.
As a result, Isak was left out of a fifth consecutive friendly, with Howe receiving no indication from the player that he wished to feature.
Speaking after the Espanyol match, Howe said: “I have to say, big credit to the players because they’ve got on with their work – training has been of a really high level.
“I haven’t seen a negative output on the pitch, but I have been aware of a feeling around the group that there’s something there that’s not to the benefit of the group.”
Isak will not feature in Newcastle’s friendly against Atletico Madrid and, according to Howe, is unlikely to be involved in their Premier League opener against Aston Villa next weekend.
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