Eddie Howe excluded Alexander Isak from Newcastle United's squad due to ongoing transfer speculation, expressing confidence in the striker's happiness at the club. Isak, who scored 23 goals last season, has drawn interest from Liverpool and Saudi clubs, with fees discussed reaching up to £130m. Howe emphasized the importance of retaining top players and noted that Isak is valued as irreplaceable. He believes Isak has a strong bond with the team and expects him to participate in the upcoming season after a break from the match against Celtic.
I chose to send him home. The last thing Alex wants if he is not playing is to be sat in the stand and under that scrutiny.
We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop.
We're desperate to keep him as part of our team. I've never had any issue with him and have just enjoyed seeing his talent.
I think it's difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player - it's football and you never know what can happen.
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