Newcastle United forward, Alexander Isak, has been included in Sweden’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite being sidelined by his club amid a potential transfer to Liverpool.
Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson named Isak for the matches against Slovenia and Kosovo on September 5 and 8.
The 26-year-old striker has been training alone after missing Newcastle’s pre-season tour in Singapore and South Korea, effectively being frozen out of the first team.
Liverpool have reportedly made a £110 million ($148 million) offer for Isak, but Newcastle, owned by a Saudi consortium, are said to have set a £150 million price tag for the Premier League star who netted 23 league goals last season and played a key role in the club’s League Cup triumph.
Tomasson acknowledged the unusual circumstances, saying, “The situation he is in is not perfect and he has not trained with his team. But he is a player who can be decisive and he wants to be part of our team. The World Cup is important for Alexander Isak.”
Isak’s standoff with Newcastle has dominated the Premier League transfer headlines this summer, with the forward claiming the club had previously given him permission to leave.
On August 20, he stated, “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 responded firmly to the claims, saying, “We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.”
Despite the tensions, Isak reportedly met with Newcastle’s senior management this week and reaffirmed his desire to join Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have also had two offers for Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected by Wolves as the transfer window nears its close.
