Newcastle United insist that Alexander Isak has been left out of their squad for the tour of Asia due to a ‘minor injury’, sources have told Graeme Bailey, chief correspondent at TBR Football. The Magpies believe that, whilst the thigh injury he is carrying is only slight, avoiding extensive travel would be the best option for their star player.

Alexander Isak has been ruled out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia as the Swedish striker continues to generate transfer talk.

Eddie Howe insisted after Saturday's defeat to Celtic that he expected Isak to join Newcastle in Singapore and South Korea this week,

Ekitike, 23, had long been linked with a Premier League move, with Newcastle United and Manchester United reportedly joining Liverpool in pursuit of the Frenchman.

Liverpool complete the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m, subject to international clearance.