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Eddie Howe has reiterated he is keen to keep Alexander Isak at Newcastle but has now admitted he cannot guarantee the striker will stay this summer.

Isak is missing Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia with what the club described as a minor thigh injury but after he asked to be able to explore his options of a move.

Liverpool had made an inquiry for Isak, though they also went on to sign the Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike, while Arsenal are other admirers of his and Al-Hilal are reportedly willing to give him a lucrative contract.

Howe admitted that Isak, who has three years left on his current deal, is not in talks about a new deal with Newcastle but underlined that he hopes his top scorer remains at St James’ Park, with the club facing a difficult decision.

"He is now in Newcastle getting his injury assessed,” said Howe, who is in Singapore, preparing for a friendly against Arsenal on Sunday.

Conversations that happen between Alex and ourselves and Alex and the club will stay private.

"He is very popular in the dressing room and would love him to continue to his journey at Newcastle.

Howe suggested Isak would not be sold on the cheap but did not put a deadline on when the situation has to be resolved.

"Whatever happens, has to be right for Newcastle.

"There are always big decisions to make when you are at Newcastle.

There is a wider picture; there is a football club that has to make the decision.

"I wouldn't put a timescale on it.

It has to be right for the football club and they will make the right decision with all the information they have.
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