Liverpool handed Alexander Isak encouragement as striker ordered to train alone by Newcastle

Alexander Isak has been ordered to train alone at Newcastle this afternoon, and not attend a club barbecue intended to boost squad morale, according to Sky Sports News.

Isak opted out of the club’s pre-season tour of the Far East with Newcastle claiming it was due to a minor thigh injury. It subsequently emerged the Sweden international had asked to explore a move away from Tyneside.

Isak has spent the past week or so training on his own at former club Real Sociedad but returned to the North-East over the weekend.

No group session for wantaway Isak

Newcastle’s players had yesterday off after travelling back from Asia but reported this morning for a group session, which was followed by a social event with players’ wives and children invited to spend some bonding time together.

Isak was not asked to attend and will instead visit the club’s training ground later today when he is expected to hold face-to-face talks with boss Eddie Howe.

Howe hinted last week that the red carpet would not be rolled out for Isak when the squad returned to England. He said: “You have to earn the right to train with us.

“We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.

“We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.”

Liverpool boosted by Newcastle and PIF

Isak’s exclusion is likely to offer encouragement to Liverpool, who remain interested in doing a deal for the 25-year-old, despite seeing an initial offer rejected last week and having also splashed out on Hugo Ekitike.

In a bizarre twist, Newcastle’s owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, may also be close to bolstering Liverpool’s chances of signing Isak by adding around £60m to their transfer kitty.

The PIF also own Saudi side Al-Hilal, who are close to completing a move for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.