NEWCASTLE stars Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn have spoken out after Alexander Isak dramatically told the club he wants to leave.
The striker did not travel with his team-mates on their Far East pre-season tour after it
It has put several clubs on red alert - - with Isak’s future thrown into chaos.
The Swedish international scored 27 goals in 42 appearances last season to break out as one of the best forwards in the world.
So England defender Burn was pressed on whether he understands Isak’s desire to further his career away from St James’ Park.
He told the Daily Mail in Singapore: “Listen, everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But I think we can just control what we can control.
“That’s a question for Alex to answer. He’s obviously a big player for us, but we do have a lot of quality in the squad as well.
“Bringing Anthony (Elanga) in as well, which I think was a great signing.”
have officially said Isak, 25, is ruled out of their pre-season tour through a minor injury.
And Burn, 33, added: “Alex hasn’t trained with a thigh issue that’s been ongoing since he’s been back that first few days.”
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Speculation is rife over Isak’s future as the new league season approaches.
And club captain Guimaraes, 27, said: “I’m really close to him. He’s a good guy. He’s been through some rough things at this moment.
“My focus is with the lads. Isak is something I cannot control. The club has control of it.
“I hope he’s going to be fit when we come back to Newcastle to prepare for the new season.
“They told us he was there in Newcastle because of his injury. Of course he’s a top player for us and he’s going to be a miss on this trip.
“We need him ready as soon as possible.”
Isak still has three years left on his current deal and is reluctant to commit to a possible £300,000-a-week fresh package.
It comes after he informed the club that he wants to consider his options - but Newcastle do not want to sell their star man.
Newcastle knocked back an approach from Liverpool last week over a potential £120m British record fee.
But Arne Slot’s league champions are determined to partner Isak with Hugo Ekitike -
Despite Newcastle’s stance on selling Isak - the club are lining up replacements should they fail to convince the forward to stay.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, 22, tops the list after the Slovenian failed to complete a move to Arsenal this summer.
Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 games last season and is available for around £60-£70m.
Brentford’s £30m man , 28, is another alternative.
