Liverpool have been involved in one of the transfer sagas of the summer as Alexander Isak demands to leave Newcastle United.

Isak has been one of the Premier League’s standout players over the past two years, winning a trophy with Newcastle and helping them qualify for the Champions League.

However, after scoring 62 goals in 102 games for the Magpies, he is keen to leave and join Liverpool this summer.

Understandably, Newcastle have been reluctant to agree to Isak‘s wishes, and have so far struggled to find a necessary replacement for the 25-year-old.

Alexander Isak is EXCLUDED from training and family day as Eddie Howe doubles down on wantaway earning the right to join the group	New Alexander Isak statement issued by Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: 'I can't involve him'	Eddie Howe admits Newcastle can’t force Alexander Isak to stay

With the Premier League season now only one week away, the pressure is starting to ramp up on Newcastle.

Saturday brought claims from The Telegraph that the Magpies have put their foot down and told Isak he simply will not be sold.

However, comments from Eddie Howe on Friday night appear to refute that version of events.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle have told Isak that he will be staying at the club this summer under any and all circumstances.

The decision is said to have caused ‘acrimony and tension’ with the player, who has been upset at being blocked from moving to Anfield.

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Howe has reportedly ‘ordered’ Isak to train by himself and, bizarrely, Isak is claimed to have been told that he will not play for Newcastle again unless he can get his head around not being sold.

While these suggestions will cause alarm amongst Liverpool fans, Howe himself was asked directly whether Newcastle could tell Isak he has to stay following their friendly with Espanyol on Friday.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe provides Alexander Isak fitness update as striker continues to push for Liverpool move

“It’s not that straightforward, otherwise we would have done that a long time ago,” replied the Newcastle boss.

“I don’t think we’re in a position to be able to do that currently.”

If Newcastle really have put their foot down and told Isak he is not going anywhere, then they are playing a very dangerous game.

Of course, the player will eventually be reintegrated back into the fold, but there is little hope of him staying in the long-term.

Should that eventually happen, it would be fascinating to see whether Liverpool would come back in for Isak in six months or a year’s time.

On the one hand, the Reds clearly love the player, but as they have shown with someone like Martin Zubimendi, it can be a case of ‘now or never’ to join Arne Slot’s team.

The real question will be of whether Liverpool can find someone else to do the job they have earmarked for Isak.

He is clearly leaving Newcastle one way or another, but whether that is for Anfield will likely be answered definitively in the next three weeks.
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