Eddie Howe on Isak: I decided to send him home because of the speculation surrounding him
The Swedish international has been the subject of transfer speculations in recent weeks following his impressive performance last season.
Liverpool recently made an enquiry about the forward and a Saudi Arabian side also contacted Newcastle, but the Magpies claimed he is not for sale.
What Howe said about Isak
Following Newcastle's 4-0 loss to Celtic on Saturday, Howe was asked about the Swede's future, admitting it was impossible to rule out a departure.
"It's difficult for me to give 100 percent clarity on any player. Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the club. I'm confident he'll be here at the start of the season," said Howe, as reported by Sportal.
"That was my decision. He travelled with us to Glasgow, but I decided to send him home because of the speculation surrounding him," Howe added.
"The last thing he needed was to be sitting in the stands watching. It wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident that by the end of the window he will be a Newcastle player," Howe concluded.