Newcastle and Liverpool bosses speak on Isak transfer after 'owners visit striker's house'

Eddie Howe has insisted he doesn't know if Newcastle's owners have visited Alexander Isak to offer him a new contract. Just hours before his side kicked off against Liverpool tonight, reports emerged that club co-owner Jamie Reuben and a PIF delegation had been to the striker's home to discuss a deal.

The saga made for a hostile atmosphere at St James' Park, with Howe's side losing a dramatic clash 3-2. Fans held up banners making their feelings on Isak's actions clear, while the visitors were jeered from the moment they arrived in the stadium. Afterwards, Howe was asked if he had been informed of any negotiations.

"Yeah, I wasn't aware of that," he told Sky Sports. "Obviously, talks have been going on since Alex decided not to go on tour with us. I've concentrated on coaching the team, so I've got no idea."

Newcastle now face a forward crisis, with the makeshift striker Anthony Gordon set to serve a suspension after being shown a straight red card for a rash tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Both Joelinton and Sandro Tonali were also forced off early with injury.

Howe admitted that the club would be chasing targets in the next seven days, adding: "We hope we can bring players into the football club. We've been trying, especially in the forward positions, and we'll keep trying until the end."

Opposite number Arne Slot also remained tight-lipped. Asked if the Reds would continue to pursue Isak ahead of the summer transfer deadline on September 1, he insisted his focus was on current Liverpool players.

"This is not the place to talk about anything else," said the Dutchman. "The story should be about Hugo Ekitike scoring another goal. He's scored three in three games."

Newcastle have just one league game left before the window closes. Howe's men go to Leeds United next Saturday, before the Premier League takes a two-week gap for the international break.