Why Alexander Isak missed Newcastle friendly vs Celtic amid transfer speculation | Football

Newcastle were without star striker Alexander Isak for their friends against Celtic on Saturday.

The Magpies’ star striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days with Liverpool indicating they were prepared to break the British transfer record for the second time this summer.

Having already secured the services of Florian Wirtz, as well as full-back Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, Arne Slot is keen to sign a new centre forward and boost his attacking options.

Darwin Nunez is likely to leave amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Napoli, while Luis Diaz remains keen on a move to Bayern Munich.

The practical realities of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, meanwhile, means Liverpool would be short of attacking options, particularly if Harvey Elliott is allowed to leave as well.

Newcastle remain adamant that their talisman, whose contract does not expire until 2028, is going nowhere but that stance has come at a cost.

While Isak may well remain at St James’ Park, Liverpool have reacted by tabling a significant bid for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike who had been the subject of one failed bid from Newcastle already during the transfer window.

The France youth international now appears almost certain to join the reigning Premier League champions with personal terms already agreed.

Licking their wounds, Newcastle began their pre-season campaign against Celtic, minus the services of Isak and Joelinton.

According to the Newcastle Chronicle, however, there was nothing sinister about their absences, with Eddie Howe keen to limit their minutes during the early weeks of pre-season.

Newcastle have been training in Austria over the course of the last week and Isak is understood have been eased back in following his summer break.

Both he and Joelinton, it is hoped, will feature next week when Howe’s team are back in action against Tottenham in Singapore.

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