Sweden boss speaks out on Alexander Isak situation after calling up ‘very professional player’

Jon Dahl Tomasson has described Alexander Isak as a ‘very professional player’ after calling up the wantaway Newcastle striker to his Sweden squad.

Isak has not played yet this season and has not even been training with his Newcastle teammates as he tries to force a move to Liverpool.

The Reds have seen one bid turned down for the 25-year-old as the Magpies want to keep hold of him, even while he is effectively on strike.

Despite the uncertainty over his future and clearly not being fully match fit, Isak has been called up for Sweden’s upcoming games against Slovenia and Kosovo.

Tomasson, who played for Newcastle himself in 1997-98, says he has been in regular contact with Isak, but has not given much away about what is next for the striker.

‘It is very difficult to have a clear opinion about the situation,’ said the Sweden manager, via Sport Bladet. ‘We do not know what has happened in the club.

‘We must be very careful about drawing hasty conclusions when we do not have the whole picture. He is smart enough, he is smarter than me I think.’

He added: ‘Alex is a very professional player, a strong character and he has worked hard. He is a game-changer.

‘I have spoken to him several times, mentally he is strong. What we have said stays between us of course.

‘Can he play 90 minutes? Of course not. Not at all.’

Newcastle chiefs attempted to end the Isak debacle on Monday by visiting the forward and trying to convince him to reintegrate with the squad, at least for the rest of this season.

This was believed to include the offer of an improved contract, despite his current deal still having three years to run.

However, Isak’s stance remains the same and he wants to leave for Liverpool before the transfer window closes on Monday September 1.

Isak made his feelings clear last week, posting on Instagram after he was named in the PFA Premier League team of the Year, he said: ‘I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25.

‘First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.

‘I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With be everything going on, it didn’t feel right to there.

‘I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

‘The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

‘When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.’

Newcastle have been trying to sign strikers this summer, not only because Isak wants to go but also because Callum Wilson was released at the end of his contract earlier this summer.

They have found it extremely difficult, though, having missed out on the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Pedro, while also seeing bids rejected for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.