Eddie Howe has revealed that there have been no contract discussions with Alexander Isak but he hopes to keep the striker at Newcastle.
Isak has been the subject of transfer rumours in the summer transfer window, with reports earlier this week suggesting he had asked to be considered for a move.
The 25-year-old did not travel with the Magpies on their pre-season tour of Asia as the club said he missed the trip with a “minor thigh injury”.
Hours later, reports emerged that Isak, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks, had informed the club's board of his desire to consider a move away from St James' Park.
Isak missed Newcastle's opening pre-season match against Celtic last weekend and Howe has provided an update on the striker's fitness ahead of Sunday's friendly with Arsenal.
“There's definitely something going on behind the scenes. He knows he's in the news every day and I'm sure it's not easy for anyone in that situation,” the Newcastle manager told reporters.
The negotiations between Alex and the club, and between me and Alex, will remain confidential for obvious reasons. We have a really good relationship with him.
“He has been brilliant since he joined us. He is a popular figure in the dressing room and we would like him to continue his journey at Newcastle.”
Howe also added that there are no contract negotiations with Isak as his current contract is for three more years.
“There are no contract talks going on as far as I know at the moment. That may come later,” Howe said, according to the Daily Mail and The Athletic.
“I think in the current situation, given that the window (in the sense that from our point of view it is quickly approaching the end), a lot can still happen.”
Howe confirmed Isak is currently at Newcastle for a scan, adding in a press conference published on the club's website: “He's got an injury and I don't have any serious information. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game and we assumed it would be a minor injury, nothing serious.”
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Sourse: breakingnews.ie
