Isak remains adamant he wants to leave Newcastle United despite the intervention of chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan who visited his home on Monday. The Sweden international was absent from Newcastle’s pre-season schedule and played no part in the club’s opening Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool where the side picked up just 1 point.
Now, Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has drafted Isak into his squad for Sweden's first set of 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo next month. Speaking on the transfer saga, Tomasson told reporters on Wednesday that Isak is smart enough to make his own decisions.
"It is very difficult to have a clear opinion about the situation. We do not know what has happened in the club.
“We must be very careful about drawing hasty conclusions when we do not have the whole picture. He is smart enough, he is smarter than me I think."
Tomasson also admitted that Isak will not be able to complete 90 minutes as he had been absent from the pitch for some time.
"Alex is a very professional player, a strong character, and he has worked hard. He is a game changer," Tomasson added. "I have spoken to him several times; mentally, he is strong.
“What we have said stays between us, of course. Can he play 90 minutes? Of course not. Not at all."
Liverpool have yet to make a fresh bid for Isak since an offer of £110m was rejected at the start of this month and with just a few days left of the summer transfer window it looks likely that Isak will remain at the club unless The Reds make a shock bid that Newcastle may be forced to accept.