'I've talked with Alex a lot' - Isak update offered by Sweden boss amid Liverpool transfer push

Isak wants to leave Newcastle before the close of the summer transfer window and secure a move to Liverpool. The Reds have already seen an initial offer for the striker rejected, while the Sweden international is refusing to play for the club in a bid to try and force a move to Anfield.

Newcastle want to bring in a replacement before sanctioning an exit for Isak and have been linked with Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Paris Saint-Germain star Goncalo Ramos. Isak has faced heavy criticism for his behaviour towards Newcastle and desire to move on, but Tomasson has praised the striker's professionalism and said fans must be careful as the full facts are not yet known.

He told fotbollskanalen: "First of all: 'Alex' is an extremely professional player. A fantastic character and personality. I have talked a lot with "Alex" during this period. Situations like this are quite complex. These are extremely complex environments that the players operate in. I'm sure it will work out in the end, but you have to know the whole picture before you draw conclusions. That's always a good tip.

"I don't think we know it (the whole picture). I don't know the whole picture either. It's quite normal because there's a lot of politics in a football club. But one thing is for sure: "Alex" is a great guy and very professional. We should all be very careful about drawing conclusions because we don't know the bigger picture."

Tomasson also spoke about Isak's chances of playing Wotld Cup qualifiers for the national team in September after missing the start of the domestic season. He added: "There is time. He is a professional and I know he has trained. Of course he has not trained with a team and has not played matches. Let's wait and see. We will have a good talk, Alex and I, and hopefully he will be back in team training soon. Of course we have thought about it. I want to have my best players available and he is a fantastic player. But I can't see into the future. It's impossible."

The transfer window is due to close on September 1st, meaning the end is in sight for Isak's transfer saga. Howe has called for his striker's future to be resolved "quickly," but it remains to be seen if Liverpool will return with an improved bid that Newcastle are willing to accept.