Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has expressed confidence that striker Alexander Isak will remain at the club despite transfer interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.
Howe made the decision to send the Swedish international home before Newcastle's 4-0 friendly defeat to Celtic on Saturday due to speculation surrounding his future.
"He travelled to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him," Howe explained.
The manager revealed it was his choice to exclude Isak from the matchday squad.
Getty | Alexander Isak has long been on Liverpool's transfer wish list
"The last thing he wanted was to be sat in the stand watching - that wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window."
Newcastle have placed a valuation of at least £150 million on Isak, making their stance clear when Liverpool enquired about his availability earlier this week.
The Magpies consider the 25-year-old striker irreplaceable after his impressive 23 Premier League goals last season.
"We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable," Howe said. "Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop. So when you have them, you need to treasure them."
The manager emphasised Newcastle's determination to retain their star forward. "Of course we're desperate to keep him as part of our team."
Howe confirmed he has held discussions with Isak about the transfer speculation but insisted this was normal practice.
"Yes, I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal," he said. "I respect a player's career and how short it is.
PA | Newcastle have no intention of selling Alexander Isak this summer"Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him."
"I think it's difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player, I'd never do that.
"All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team."
Newcastle's heavy defeat at Celtic Park highlighted their challenging summer transfer window.
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Getty | Eddie Howe is desperate to bolster his squad this summer"We've had a frustrating time in missing out on targets, I'll be open on that," Howe admitted after the match.
Liverpool have reportedly cooled their interest in Isak, turning instead to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike as a more affordable option at around £70 million. The French striker had been a Newcastle target but has made clear his preference for joining Arne Slot's side.
Arsenal, who had also been monitoring Isak, are now closing in on Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. Despite the interest from rival clubs, Isak is expected to travel with Newcastle for pre-season friendlies against Arsenal and Tottenham in Asia.