Isak's Shock Return to Newcastle Sparks Transfer Drama

ALEXANDER ISAK has made a shock arrival at Newcastle training ahead of crunch talks about his future.

Sky Sports cameras spotted the 25-year-old striker rocking up to the club's Benton HQ on Monday morning.

4 Alexander Isak, pictured arriving at training in April, missed Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia Credit: PA

Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season

Isak didn't travel with his team-mates for their pre-season tour of Asia, which finished in a 1-1 draw with Spurs on Sunday.

The Toon attributed his absence to a minor thigh injury but Isak informed them that he wishes to explore his options this summer.

He has been training alone at former club Real Sociedad after telling Newcastle he wants to leave.

Liverpool then had a £110million bid for the Swede rejected last week, with Newcastle wanting at least £40million more than that.

The forward has not been involved since being sent home from Glasgow ahead of the Toon's clash with Celtic on July 19, amid transfer speculation.

Isak's shock entrance comes a day after boss Eddie Howe said the striker must earn the right to train with his team-mates again.

Following his side's feisty clash with Tottenham in South Korea, Howe was asked if Isak will return to team training next week.

The Magpies boss 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.

4

"No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."

Liverpool are set to return with a second bid for Isak as Newcastle close in on ideal replacement Benjamin Sesko.

The Toon are competing with Manchester United for the RB Leipzig striker's signature, having launched a £70m bid for the Slovenian on Saturday.

Howe, 47, also admitted that he has not spoken to Isak while away in Asia.

Addressing Isak's future, the Newcastle boss said: "Of course I'd like him to be (at training next week), but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time.

"We have been here with the time difference, preparing for training and for games. Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home."

4 Eddie Howe slammed Isak while saying 'you have to act in the right way' Credit: Getty

Meanwhile, club legend Alan Shearer, who was a big admirer of Isak's, opened up about the transfer saga.

Shearer told the Rest Is Footbal podcas t : "I'm not angry at all towards him. I understand how football works. I know what happens in and around the game.

"I probably understand his mentality. Do I like it? Do I understand it? Probably two different things.

"But I know what football is about and I know how it works. Obviously Liverpool have been into him or his agent.

"I just thought it might have happened next year.

4 Alan Shearer opened up about the transfer saga on his podcast Credit: Getty

"And if it really is impossible for Eddie to turn him around and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want to be out now, you get your big money for him, whoever's prepared to pay that and you get other people in, hopefully beforehand, and then you move on.

" As I said, no individual is bigger than any football club.

"And if he doesn't want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and say thanks very much for the memories. Off you go."

After jetting back from Asia, Newcastle will return to action on Friday night, when they host Espanyol at St James' Park.

On Saturday they will then welcome Atletico Madrid to Tyneside, and it remains to be seen whether Isak will feature in either game.