Eddie Howe fielded eight questions on the striker during Saturday's 15-minute press conference. The situation is beyond a distraction now

The transfer market has been set abuzz by reports that Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United this summer. According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old striker even preferred to skip the club’s pre-season tour in Asia, although Newcastle officially cited fitness issues for his absence.

Just how good is Alexander Isak? Can the Magpies compete on all fronts without him? Would paying the Swede upset the Newcastle project?

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the settling of Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park "has to be right for Newcastle". The 25-year-old striker is considering his future at the club amid interest from Premier League champions Liverpool.

As Newcastle United prepare for a preseason tour in Asia, where they'll face the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham, they may also need to begin to prepare for life without their star striker, Alexander Isak.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has said striker Alexander Isak’s future will be decided by the club’s ownership..

Newcastle fans can feel justifiably angry by the notion that a team will waltz off with their No 9 with a flutter of eyelashes and a wad of cash. Isak is Newcastle’s best striker since Alan Shearer and is already one of the world’s elite forwards.

Liverpool remain interested in Alexander Isak after he told Newcastle that he wants to leave, while Luis Diaz is among a group of Reds stars who could be sold to fund a lucrative transfer