Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has returned to the club’s training ground after going AWOL in an attempt to secure a move to Liverpool.
Isak flew to Spain to use the facilities at his former club Real Sociedad last week but didn’t inform manager Eddie Howe or anybody else at Newcastle that he would be absent.
The 25-year-old missed Newcastle’s tour of the Far East as he cited a thigh problem but he was subsequently found not to be injured.
As reported by Sky Sports, Isak is now set for talks with Howe regarding his future.
The rest of the Newcastle squad have been given the day off after arriving back from South Korea this morning.
Liverpool had an initial bid of £110million for Isak rejected last week, with the player and his agent waiting for an increased offer to be made.
Newcastle are eager to have a replacement lined up before allowing Isak to depart and are only willing to accept an offer of approaching £150million from Liverpool.
Howe expressed his frustration with Isak’s actions and stated that he must earn the right to return to training.
Speaking to MailSport’s Craig Hope, Howe said: ‘You have to earn the right to train with us.
‘We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
‘We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.’
Newcastle are negotiating a £70million package with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko, who is also of interest to Manchester United.
The Magpies are also looking to bring in 28-year-old Yoane Wissa from Brentford but want to secure a deal for a younger forward, such as Sesko, 22, before Isak can be allowed to leave.
Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle since joining the club in 2022.
Last season he helped Newcastle to win their first domestic trophy since 1955 as he scored in the Carabao Cup final victory against Liverpool.
Liverpool have already brought in one forward this summer in Hugo Ekitike but are also eager to sign Isak.
