Howe Confident Isak Will Stay At Newcastle After Striker Left Out Of Thrashing By Celtic

Eddie Howe is assured Alexander Isak will enactment astatine Newcastle this summertime contempt omitting nan striker from a pre-season thrashing by Celtic because of speculation complete his future.

Isak was near retired of nan 4-0 conclusion astatine Celtic Park connected Saturday contempt being fresh to play. The Newcastle head claimed nan determination was taken to negociate nan striker’s minutes successful pre-season, but besides arsenic a consequence of caller transportation speculation.

Liverpool’s long-held liking successful nan Sweden world was confirmed this week pinch nan Premier League champions being prepared to salary a British grounds transportation interest to make him their caller No 9.

Liverpool person since turned their attentions to Eintracht Frankfurt guardant and Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike aft being informed Isak is not for sale. The champions stay successful talks complete a interest for Ekitike, who is understood to person a €100m (£87m) merchandise clause successful his Eintracht contract, pinch a woody expected to beryllium completed adjacent week.

Howe admitted Newcastle are “desperate” to support Isak, who has 3 years remaining connected his contract, but added he could not springiness “100% clarity” connected immoderate player’s future.

The Newcastle head said of nan striker’s absence successful Glasgow: “It was my decision. He travelled backmost to Glasgow pinch america but I decided to nonstop him location owed to nan speculation astir him. The past point he wanted is to beryllium sat successful nan guidelines watching, that wasn’t adjacent to him. But I’m assured he will beryllium a Newcastle subordinate travel nan extremity of nan window.”

Howe, who besides omitted Joelinton against nan Scottish champions, added: “It’s difficult for maine to springiness 100% clarity connected immoderate player. Alex is happy astatine Newcastle, he loves nan players, nan staff, nan team. I’m assured he’ll beryllium present astatine nan commencement of nan season.”

Liverpool’s determination to spell for Ekitike, who made it clear he favoured a move to Anfield complete St James’ Park earlier Newcastle pulled retired of nan title for nan striker, represents different vexation successful what has been a problematic transportation model for Howe.

Newcastle person besides missed retired connected João Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and Liam Delap while their long-running pursuit of Burnley’s £40m-rated goalkeeper James Trafford is now successful uncertainty pinch Manchester City linked pinch their erstwhile player.

Howe and his nephew, Andy Howe, person been overseeing overmuch of Newcastle’s recruitment this summer, pinch Paul Mitchell having near arsenic sporting head and Darren Eales owed to depart connected wellness grounds. They person completed only 1 signing truthful far, nan £55m acquisition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

“We’ve had a frustrating clip successful missing retired connected targets, I’ll beryllium unfastened connected that,” said nan Newcastle manager. “But we’re assured we tin get successful immoderate players who tin fortify nan team. We wanted more.”

Eddie Howe, alongside adjunct Graeme Jones, endured a torrid clip astatine Celtic Park connected Saturday. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Celtic took nan lead connected Saturday from a 28th-minute Arne Engels penalty, past Johnny Kenny tapped successful aft Nick Pope misjudged an attempted clearance to make it 2-0 conscionable earlier nan break. nan Hyun-jun and Liam Scales past added 2 much aft some sides rang nan changes astatine half-time, including Newcastle introducing Elanga for nan first time.