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Alexander Isak has been told to train away from his Newcastle teammates amid intense speculation over his future, talkSPORT understands.
The Swede was the subject of a £110million offer from Premier League champions Liverpool last week, one that was rejected by the Magpies.
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Isak had missed the club’s pre-season tour due to speculation, and resumed training in Spain, using the facilities of former club Real Sociedad.
However, with Newcastle standing firm, he returned to training, only to now be told to work separately from his teammates.
It is understood to have been Eddie Howe’s decision.
There have been twists and turns since Liverpool’s rejected offer, with Howe’s side looking for reinforcements up front, submitting a £69.4m bid for Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
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The Slovenian is understood to prefer Premier League rivals Manchester United as his next club, meaning Newcastle will be less inclined to let Isak go.
Speaking after Sesko’s rejection, talkSPORT’s Chief Football Writer Alex Crook said: “I think it makes it difficult for Alexander Isak to get that move to Liverpool this summer.
“Newcastle are still in talks with Yoanne Wissa and there is growing confidence they can get that deal done.
“They do have alternative targets in Ollie Watkins and Lois Openda, and they’ve been offered Nicolas Jackson by Chelsea.
“I think if they got an Ollie Watkins or Nicolas Jackson AND Wissa, then they might be more open to Liverpool coming in with another bid.
“Now the Sesko deal has collapsed from underneath them, it makes it harder for Isak to leave.
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More cash for Liverpool?
Despite Liverpool’s insistence that they wouldn’t make another Isak bid after their initial offer was rejected, things are changing at Anfield.
The Reds are looking to cash in on Darwin Nunez, and a payday from Al Hilal could give them the necessary cash for another bid.
talkSPORT understands that the teams have reached an agreement on a deal worth around £60m, with the green light from Uruguayan now needed.
The Reds have had a frantic but productive summer window, breaking the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz by paying Bayer Leverkusen £116m for his services.
The German was one of a number of changes up front, with Luis Diaz heading to Bayern Munich for £65m, while Hugo Ekitike has arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m.
There was also the tragic death of striker Diogo Jota.
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For Newcastle, things have been far less positive despite a first domestic trophy in 70 years and a Champions League finish last season.
Anthony Elanga has been the only major first team signing in a £55m deal with Nottingham Forest, while the club have faced a number of rejections alongside Sesko.
