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The Swedish striker was sent home by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe ahead of the 4-0 pre-season defeat to Celtic last weekend due to being affected by transfer speculation following an approach from Liverpool.

Isak then wasn't part of the travelling party to Singapore today, with Newcastle saying he was left at home due to a minor thigh issue and a long-haul flight wouldn't have helped his recovery.

But the speculation is a contributing factor to Isak being left behind in Newcastle.

Liverpool made an informal approach for Isak last week before signing Hugo Ekitike - and it's believed they remain huge admirers of Isak.

Also See:What did Newcastle boss Howe say about Isak last week?

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Eddie Howe said on Saturday that he's 'confident' Isak will stay at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, further talks are happening on Thursday at Brentford over the future of Yoane Wissa amid Newcastle's interest.

The player wants to go but Brentford do not want to sell him after they sold Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United for £71m.

Brentford's valuation of Wissa has increased after Mbeumo's sale because it is seen as a risk to lose both players.

The pair scored 39 goals between them in the Premier League last season.

Sky Sports News has been told Brentford value Wissa at no less than £40m.

Newcastle, who have been increasingly hopeful they can get him for around £35m, do not want to overpay for a player they currently see as a number two striker to Isak.

Analysis: What do Newcastle do now?

Sky Sports News' Keith Downie:

"Newcastle wanted to use this window to build, they wanted to bring in four players.

They had those talks with Frankfurt [about Hugo Ekitike], Liverpool hijacked that and still retain an interest in Isak as well.

"It's not what the Newcastle fans want to hear ahead of a Champions League season where they'll be battling on two major fronts?

They want to hold onto their best players - the last thing they want to hear is Isak's head being turned.

"Eddie Howe is a great man manager but he's going to have to do the best man management job of all time to try to get Isak into a positive frame of mind going into the season.

"Reading between the lines, the fact he's asked to explore his options, his head has been turned?

The last thing Eddie Howe wanted, the last thing Newcastle fans wanted
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