Eddie Howe has stressed his desire to see Alexander Isak play for Newcastle United again after Liverpool failed with a bid for the Sweden striker, but confessed he did not know if this was the end of the transfer saga.

Liverpool will not lodge a second bid for Alexander Isak after their initial offer of £120million was rejected by Newcastle. The Premier League champions were keen on landing the Swedish centre-forward despite splashing £69m on Hugo Ekitike, whom they beat Newcastle to the signing of last month.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has described the situation with Alexander Isak as “complex” and “far from ideal.” Isak has made it clear that he wants to leave Newcastle this summer and was left out of the squad for their pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea.