Revealed: Why Alexander Isak has been training alone at Newcastle amid intense Liverpool & Al-Hilal transfer speculation

The Sweden international striker is said to be attracting interest from heavyweight outfits in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League. Big-money offers are reportedly being readied, with Isak said to come with a £120-130 million ($176m) price tag.

Newcastle are understandably reluctant to sell, as they prepare for more Champions League action, but Isak was sent home from a pre-season friendly clash with Celtic as more questions were asked of his future on Tyneside.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe said at the time: “Alex has trained this week and he's fine, but we didn't want to take the risk with him today. Alex was with us all the way through Austria, but today, with all the speculation and things that are going on, I decided to send him home.

“It's purely the last thing Alex wants if he's not playing, is to be sat in the stand. Being under that scrutiny, I don't think that's fair to the player. So, if he wasn't going to play today, which we mutually agreed, he needs a little bit more training time, then it's best that he's not here.”

Pictures then emerged of Isak training away from the rest of the first-team squad at Newcastle. That situation only served to fuel the rumours regarding a supposedly imminent move elsewhere being lined up.

NewcastleWorld are, however, claiming that Isak underwent a scan on a thigh problem this week. That test is said to have come back clear but, as a precaution, Howe decided that the 25-year-old Swede should take in a light session by himself.

Newcastle have Isak tied to a contract through to 2028, meaning that they are under no pressure to sell. They had been hoping to extend that agreement, ensuring that a talismanic presence remains at St James’ Park, but there are reports of Isak and his representatives demanding £300,000-a-week in those discussions.