Newcastle Don't Want To Be Affected By Alexander Isak's Speculation

JAKARTA - Newcastle United's players will not allow continued speculation linking striker Alexander Isak to a move from St. James' Park influenced their focus in preparing for the Premier League season.

After Newcastle lost 2-3 to Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Manager Eddie Howe said the tour was as usual for the players and had no influence on the issue of Isak.

"You don't have the opportunity to take part in this tour to think about anything other than training, the next game. The level is so high that even in a game like this we have to be very ready."

"We have to try and be in the best condition. So, naturally, I think we will lose quality players like Alex (Isak) and the team will feel it. It's undeniable."

"I can't sit here and claim that they (the players) won't be (involved). However, they are a very professional group of players."

"As far as I can see, they did very well in terms of managing the situation," Howe said.

Isak, who scored 23 league goals for Newcastle in the 2024/2025 season - only lost to Liverpool winger and Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah who scored 29 goals - was not included in the squad for pre-season tours in Asia.

The 25-year-old, who has played for Sweden's National Team (Timnas) 52 times, joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022. Since then, he has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances in all competitions.

Newcastle, who qualified for the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League season 2024/2025, will play next against K-League XI in South Korea on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.