Alexander Isak has been named in Sweden’s squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers despite refusing to play for Newcastle United for more than three months in an effort to force through a move to Liverpool.
The 25-year-old striker has been locked in a standoff with the Magpies since the end of last season, training away from the first-team and making himself unavailable for matches as he attempts to engineer a dream switch to Anfield.
Liverpool have already had a £110million bid rejected, but Isak has remained adamant that he wants to leave St James’ Park, accusing Newcastle of breaking promises in an explosive social media statement last week.
His last appearance came back on May 25 at the close of the 2024/25 campaign, and he missed all of pre-season as tensions deepened.
Alexander Isak has been named in Sweden’s squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers despite refusing to play for Newcastle United for more than three months in an effort to force through a move to Liverpool
|PA
Yet despite the lack of game time, Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has called him up for the qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo.
With 16 goals from 52 appearances, Isak remains one of his country’s most reliable forwards and could now see his first action in more than three months on the international stage.
The striker will link up with fellow Premier League players Emil Krafth, Anthony Elanga and Arsenal’s new forward Viktor Gyokeres in the Swedish squad.
Whether Tomasson throws him straight into competitive action remains to be seen, given his prolonged absence.
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Alexander Isak is determined to play under Arne Slot at Liverpool as he pushes to leave Newcastle before the close of the summer transfer window | PABack at Newcastle, club chiefs have been working behind the scenes to try and resolve the deadlock.
They remain firm that he is not for sale, and sources indicate they are prepared to offer a new contract if Isak recommits himself to the project.
Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who was present at Monday night’s defeat to Liverpool, wants to keep the player.
Manager Eddie Howe has been left largely in the dark, admitting he has little clarity on the situation.
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“I’m not party to the talks that have been happening, so I’ve got no idea where that stands,” he said earlier this week.
The saga has not only frustrated Newcastle’s hierarchy but also left a void in the dressing room.
Club captain Bruno Guimaraes revealed he has not spoken to the striker since the standoff began, but admitted the squad is struggling without him.
“I haven’t had any contact with him,” Guimaraes told ESPN Brasil.
“We’ve been training in the mornings, and he trains at a different time, when no one from the team is around.
"As captain, and for us as players, it’s a tough situation because we want to have the best players with us.
"That’s something we can’t control; the club, the management, the owners are dealing with it, and I hope it gets sorted out in the best way.”
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Alexander Isak hasn't played football since Newcastle's final Premier League match of last season
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Guimaraes added: “We’re really missing our striker, a player who scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League last season, so of course he’s someone we feel the absence of.
"We hope to have our best player back. But unfortunately, this is a situation that neither I nor any other player can control.”
Newcastle return to action against Leeds United on Saturday (5.30pm). Isak isn't expected to be involved, however, as the Liverpool saga rumbles on.