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Eddie Howe admits Alexander Isak's future is out of his hands(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)

The Alexander Isak transfer saga has left Newcastle United grappling with a comparable dilemma to the one Borussia Dortmund encountered prior to Erling Haaland's switch to Manchester City.

The Liverpool target has informed the Magpies that he wishes to explore a move away from the club following intensifying rumours about his future over recent days.

Head coach Eddie Howe sent the Swede home from the friendly at Celtic "due to the speculation around him." Later in the week, it was confirmed he would miss the pre-season tour to Asia due to a minor injury.

On the same day, it transpired that Isak had asked to consider alternatives away from St James' Park, with the Reds still keen on signing the 25-year-old despite the arrival of Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69million.

Liverpool may need to spend up to £150m to get Isak away from Newcastle, who are under no pressure to sell their star striker.

It mirrors the circumstances Dortmund confronted as conjecture over Haaland's destiny intensified in 2022.

Following his remarkable tally of 86 strikes in 89 appearances after his move from RB Salzburg, Haaland attracted attention from numerous clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona, before he ultimately moved to City in a transfer worth £85.5million.

While Haaland's departure created a massive void at Dortmund, there was a sense of relief when he left, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledging the constant speculation surrounding Haaland's future had become problematic.

Article continues belowThere was an element of relief at Borussia Dortmund when Erling Haaland left for Manchester City(Image: Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Following Haaland's exit, he told Bild: "In the end, the Haaland issue became a burden in the locker room.

And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful."

Howe will be keen to avoid that scenario being repeated at Newcastle, though he has declined to set a deadline on a verdict regarding Isak's future.

Speaking in Singapore, Howe acknowledged the club have a "decision to make" over Isak.

I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that.

Howe won't want the Isak saga to be a distraction(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)Article continues below

"But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is.

"Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can.

There's a whole football club that has to make the decision.
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