Newcastle United’s star striker Alexander Isak will not be joining his teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia, with the club citing a minor thigh injury as the reason for his absence. The decision has sparked significant discussion among fans and pundits, particularly given the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the 25-year-old Swedish international.
Newcastle United have announced the first team squad that has departed for the club’s 2025 Asia Tour. 🇸🇬🇰🇷
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 24, 2025
The Magpies are on their way to Singapore, where they will face Arsenal on Sunday as part of their pre-season preparations.
We will then travel to South Korea to face a… pic.twitter.com/prah56CaQQ
Injury Concerns Cloud Isak’s Absence
Newcastle United confirmed that Isak is nursing a minor thigh issue, which has ruled him out of the club’s trip to Singapore and South Korea. The Magpies are set to face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, July 27, followed by matches against a K-League All-Star team and Tottenham Hotspur in South Korea. Despite a precautionary scan reportedly coming back clear, the club has opted to take a cautious approach with their prized forward, prioritizing his recovery ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Eddie Howe has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, however Alexander Isak misses out with a minor thigh injury.
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 24, 2025
Lewis Hall is available following an injury lay-off and could feature in South Korea.
Isak’s absence from the tour follows his omission from Newcastle’s recent 4-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Celtic on July 19. Manager Eddie Howe explained that the decision to leave Isak out of the Celtic match was partly influenced by the intense transfer speculation surrounding the player, which he admitted played a “10 per cent” role in the choice. Isak was sent home from Glasgow to avoid the scrutiny of being in the stands, a move Howe described as being in the player’s best interest.
Transfer Rumors Fuel Uncertainty
The timing of Isak’s absence has done little to quell rumours about his future at St. James’ Park. Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, have been heavily linked with the forward, who scored an impressive 27 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances for Newcastle last season. A potential transfer fee rumored to be in excess of £120 million would set a British record.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Isak’s agent recently stated that they are “studying and analysing all options” for the striker’s future, without confirming whether he will stay with Newcastle. Interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal has also been reported, further complicating the situation.
Despite the rumors, Newcastle have been adamant that Isak is not for sale. Howe has repeatedly emphasized the club’s desire to keep the “irreplaceable” striker, highlighting his importance both as a player and a person. “We love him as a player and a person and want him to stay—and that is right through the club,” Howe said after the Celtic friendly. “He’s an outstanding talent and a player we cherish.”
Contract Talks and Wage Demands
Complicating matters further, Isak and his representatives are reportedly seeking a significant pay increase to secure his long-term future at Newcastle. The Swede is pushing for a weekly wage of £300,000, more than double his current £120,000-a-week salary from the six-year deal he signed upon joining from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £60 million. Such a demand would challenge Newcastle’s tightly controlled wage structure, potentially straining negotiations.
An image shared on social media by a Newcastle fan on July 22 appeared to show Isak training alone at the club’s Darsley Park training ground, prompting further speculation about his status. While the club described his training as “light” as part of a managed recovery, the image intensified concerns among supporters about his commitment to the Magpies.
Howe’s Stance and Newcastle’s Plans
Initially, Howe expressed confidence that Isak would travel with the squad to Asia, stating, “He’s part of our squad. At this moment in time, I expect him to come.” However, the club’s official squad announcement for the tour confirmed Isak’s absence, with Howe now focusing on managing the striker’s fitness to ensure he is ready for the Premier League opener against Aston Villa on August 16.
Howe has been candid about the challenges of providing guarantees in football, noting, “It’s difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player. I’d never do that because it’s football and you never know what could happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle.” He remains optimistic that Isak will stay, emphasizing the forward’s happiness with his teammates and the club’s staff.
Newcastle’s attacking options look thin without Isak, with young forwards William Osula and Sean Neave stepping up in the Celtic friendly. The club’s only senior addition this summer has been winger Anthony Elanga, highlighting the need for reinforcements if Isak’s future remains uncertain.
Liverpool’s Pursuit and Newcastle’s Resolve
While Liverpool’s interest persists, their recent £79 million signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike may temper their pursuit of Isak, whose price tag could exceed £150 million. Newcastle’s valuation reflects their view of Isak as a cornerstone of their project, with Howe describing him as one of the “irreplaceable” players who are “so hard to find, to recruit, and to develop.”
For now, Newcastle fans are left anxiously awaiting updates on Isak’s recovery and his long-term future. An image of the striker boarding a plane to Singapore would have calmed nerves, but his absence from the tour has only heightened the uncertainty. As the Magpies prepare to face Arsenal without their star forward, the focus will be on Howe’s ability to navigate both Isak’s injury and the swirling transfer rumors to keep Newcastle’s ambitions on track.
