Newcastle chiefs turn up at Alexander Isak’s house in bid to resolve transfer saga

Members of the Newcastle hierarchy have tried to convince Alexander Isak to stay at the club by turning up at the striker’s house for showdown talks.

The 25-year-old has made it clear that he wants to leave the club this summer, pushing for a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The Sweden international has not been training with his teammates and has refused to play, with manager Eddie Howe leaving him out of the squad for both games so far this season.

Liverpool have seen one bid of £110m rejected for the Swede, with Newcastle wanting to keep him and only an enormous bid, thought to be of £150m, enough to persuade them to sell.

There appears to be something of a stalemate between player and club ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday September 1.

However, Newcastle have moved to end that impasse by trying to convince Isak to stay and reintegrate with the squad.

The Daily Mail report that Magpies co-owner Jamie Reuben and director Jacobo Solis met Isak at his house ahead of the game between Newcastle and Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday evening.

The outcome of those talks is yet to become clear, but it is reported that a new contract for Isak was part of the discussions.

The Newcastle chiefs are hoping that an improved contract will encourage the forward to stay and to play, at least for this season.

Isak wanting to leave is frustrating enough alone for Newcastle, but the situation has been made much worse by their inability to sign a new striker.

Callum Wilson left the club at the end of his contract this summer and with Isak’s absence Howe has been forced to play Anthony Gordon up front as he lacks a recognised senior centre forward.

Moves for Hugo Ekitike and Banjamin Sesko this summer have been unsuccessful with the former going to Liverpool and the latter to Manchester United.

Wolves have turned down a £50m bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen, while a pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has also failed so far.

It would be almost unthinkable for Newcastle to sell Isak and not bring in at least one other forward before the transfer window closes, but time is fast running out.

Wolves rejected the move for Strand Larsen partly because they would not have enough time to find a replacement over the next week.

Howe was asked for the latest on the Isak situation ahead of the clash with Liverpool but could offer nothing.

‘Absolutely nothing to update you with, unfortunately,’ Howe told Sky Sports.