Newcastle are beaten 4-0 by Celtic in their first pre-season fixture, with striker Alexander Isak left out of the Magpies squad.

Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United is uncertain as fresh interest from abroad sparks speculation over a potential summer move.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he decided the best decision for Alexander Isak at Celtic was to send the star striker home. Howe confirmed there had been no formal approach for Isak despite plenty of talk from the Liverpool end and he insisted there is a desire to keep the £63m man at St James' Park this summer.

Newcastle were without star striker Alexander Isak for their friends against Celtic on Saturday. The Magpies’ star striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days with Liverpool indicating they were prepared to break the British transfer record for the second time this summer.

Newcastle’s opening pre-season friendly in front of a crowd saw 10,000 travelling supporters make the journey to Glasgow. But one man who didn’t make the journey to Celtic Park was Isak, who had been subject to intense transfer speculation this week.

Newcastle are close to losing the race for Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool but Eddie Howe's side have already got a backup plan, a player proven in the Premier League

It has been revealed why Alexander Isak missed Newcastle United's friendly against Celtic on Saturday afternoon. The 25-year-old striker was heavily linked with a move to Anfield before Liverpool turned their attention to Hugo Ekitike.

Newcastle want Ekitike. Liverpool want Isak. Is there a world in which selling one and bringing in the other makes sense for Eddie Howe?