
Newcastle United have confirmed Alexander Isak will not be included in their preseason squad.
Eddie Howe’s side ae currently heading Singapore as part of a three match tour with games in the country and South Korea – but Isak is the notable absentee from his panel.
The Sweden international remains linked with a potential exit from St. James’ Park this summer with Liverpool tracking him.
The Reds had been linked with a £150m [$203m] offer for the former Real Sociedad attacker – which would see Arne Slot break the Premier League transfer record twice this summer – but those links have not developed at this stage.
Liverpool have since switched attention to Hugo Ekitike, with a deal now agreed to bring him in from Eintracht Frankfurt, but The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein has indicated Isak wants to leave Newcastle in August.
Howe named a 30-man squad to take to Asia, but despite previously claiming Isak would ‘absolutely’ be part of it, he will now stay in Newcastle.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Why is Alexander Isak missing Newcastle’s preseason?
Newcastle have been quick to address the reason for Isak’s absence with the club confirming he will work with the Magpies medical team to recover from ‘a minor thigh injury’.
Isak has been fortunate with injuries in recent seasons, only missing two games in the last two campaigns, and the latest setback is not expected to rule him out of the Premier League start.
With the Liverpool link on hold – for now at least – Newcastle’s focus is on contract extension talks with the 25-year-old with his current deal running until 2028.
The length of that deal reduces the immediate pressure, but Newcastle know transfer interest will be revived in 2026, and Isak is reportedly requesting a major increase on his current £6.2m [$8.4m] annual salary.
Isak’s goal record speaks for itself – with 54 Premier League goals in 86 games across his three seasons in England – but Newcastle have work to do to convince him they can match his ambitions.
Newcastle’s 2025/26 preseason schedule
Howe’s team are back in the UEFA Champions League this season and they kick off their league campaign at rivals Aston Villa on Saturday August 16.
Before that, Howe’s charges will play five preseason games [listed below] on the back of a win over Carlisle United and a 4-0 friendly loss at Celtic.
- Arsenal – Jul 27 – Singapore National Stadium
- K League XI – July 30 – Suwon World Cup Stadium
- Tottenham – August 3 – Suwon World Cup Stadium
- Espanyol – August 8 – St. James’ Park
- Atletico Madrid – August 9 – St. James’ Park
Newcastle United news and related links
