Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been left out of the squad for the club’s pre-season trip to Asia, with the club citing a “minor thigh issue” as the reason for his absence.

The Magpies have embarked on a 10-day tour across Singapore and South Korea, but the Swedish striker will remain in the UK as he recovers.

This latest update follows his absence from Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic in their last pre-season outing.

Manager Eddie Howe revealed after that match that Isak’s omission was linked to ongoing transfer speculation: “He missed the Celtic game due to being affected by transfer speculation.”

Liverpool Interest

Isak has emerged as a summer target for Liverpool, who have made enquiries about the 24-year-old striker.

In response, Newcastle remain adamant they do not wish to part ways with their star player and have placed a hefty valuation on his head.

According to Sky Sports News, the Tyneside club is believed to be demanding at least £150 million for Isak – a figure designed to ward off suitors.

Newcastle reportedly believe they are often unfairly charged a “Newcastle tax” when attempting to sign players, with other clubs assuming they have unlimited financial resources.

However, the club continues to operate under the limitations of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

While £150 million is the current asking price, reports suggest any realistic deal would likely land closer to £130 million – which would still represent a Premier League record and the club’s most expensive outgoing transfer ever.

Not for Sale

Despite the interest and speculation, the message from both manager and ownership remains consistent: Isak is not on the market.

Howe and his coaching staff are said to be eager to retain the striker, who they have spent the past few seasons developing into a top-tier talent.

They view him as central to their ambitions in the 2025-26 campaign, which includes competing on both domestic and European fronts.