Newcastle have responded to Alexander Isak by releasing a fiery statement of their own amid the striker's strong desire to join Liverpool.

Newcastle and Isak are at war, but with so little time remaining of the transfer window, an uncomfortable truce may be more likely than his dream move to Liverpool.

Liverpool have emerged as Isak’s priority for the new campaign and the 25-year-old – the Magpies’ top scorer with 27 goals last term – has been training alone after opting out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia.