Newcastle United's captain, Bruno Guimaraes, has admitted to having no contact with teammate Alexander Isak amidst swirling speculation regarding the Swedish striker's future. Isak's absence from the squad has been a significant talking point, particularly after Newcastle's recent 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St. James' Park.
Guimaraes revealed that Isak is currently training separately from the rest of the team. "I haven't had any contact with him," Guimaraes told ESPN Brasil. "We've been training in the mornings, and he trains at a different time, when no one from the team is around". This separation highlights the tense situation surrounding Isak, who is reportedly seeking a move away from the club.
The Newcastle captain acknowledged the impact of Isak's absence on the team. "We're really missing our striker, a player who scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League last season, so of course he's someone we feel the absence of," Guimaraes stated. He further emphasized that the situation is beyond his control and that the club's management and owners are handling it. "But that's something we can't control. The club, the management, the owners are dealing with it, and I hope it gets sorted out in the best way," he added.
Reports suggest that Isak desires a move to Liverpool and has gone as far as to express his disappointment over "broken promises". Newcastle, however, are holding firm, reportedly valuing him at around £150 million and rejecting an initial bid of £110 million from Liverpool. The club's co-owner, Jamie Reuben, and a PIF delegation even met with Isak in an attempt to resolve the situation, although manager Eddie Howe claimed he was unaware of this meeting.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Isak, Guimaraes conveyed a message of unity. Following the loss to Liverpool, he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Mixed feelings. We will never give up under any circumstances. We deserved more, but many times football is not fair. We stick together. There is still a lot ahead, and your support will always be fundamental".
Newcastle are reportedly exploring other attacking options as the transfer window nears its end. They have been linked with Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves and Yoane Wissa. Newcastle have already had a second bid of £55m turned down by Wolves for Jorgen Strand Larsen. Matt Targett has joined Middlesbrough on loan for the 2025/26 season.
Guimaraes also touched on Newcastle's broader ambitions and the challenges posed by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). He acknowledged that PSR had, in the past, forced the club to sell players they would have preferred to keep. However, he expressed optimism about the future, stating that the club had managed to balance financial fair play well and can now spend and retain players as the management sees fit. He also highlighted the strength of Newcastle's midfield, which includes Joelinton and Sandro Tonali, emphasizing the unique qualities each player brings to the team.
As the transfer window approaches its deadline, the situation surrounding Alexander Isak remains unresolved. Bruno Guimaraes and his teammates are eager for a resolution so that they can fully focus on the season ahead.
