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Newcastle United remain unsure where Alexander Isak will be playing after the Premier League window closes on September 1.
The Sweden international missed the Magpies preseason tour of Singapore and South Korea due to 'minor thigh injury' which later transpired to confirmation of him asking to be left out.
Isak has told Eddie Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy that he wants to 'explore opportunities away from the club this summer'.
The former Real Sociedad striker has since returned to Tyneside, after a spell training with his old club in Spain, but his next move is unknown with Liverpool preparing a renewed effort to sign him.
Howe remains determined to keep Isak at St. James' Park, but he's admitted the situation remains 'complicated' over where he end up by the start of September.
Liverpool dropped a £110m offer for Isak on August 1, which was instantly turned down by Newcastle, who value their No.14 at a Premier League record £150m.
A second offer is being readied at Anfield, but Arne Slot is expected to hold fire until a realistic window of opportunity arises, which will only come via Newcastle signing a replacement.
Talks with Brentford on Yoane Wissa are ongoing and the club are growing in confidence over beating Manchester United in the £56m race for RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko.
A move for either player will bolster Newcastle's attack, if Isak stays or goes, and Howe admitted his star striker has a difficult task on his hands.
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"He's like any other player, we would expect him to come in and train as normal," as per quotes from the Newcastle Chronicle.
"You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
"We'll make sure any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."
Howe's comments indicate his frustration over the saga, but he cannot afford to isolate Isak, in the event of him staying for the 2025/26 season.
The 25-year-old has scored 54 Premier League goals in three seasons at Newcastle but Howe must decide if he is ready to start the campaign with his team.
Newcastle host Espanyol and Atletico Madrid in friendly action on August 8 and 9, with no current indication over whether Isak will feature, before their Premier League opener at Aston Villa on August 16.
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