Bruno Guimaraes has been quizzed about his close friend Alexander Isak.
A squad of 30 Newcastle United players having flown to Singapore but the one that didn’t is making all the headlines.
Only three weeks to go until the new season kicks off, with Newcastle United fans (and players) now waiting to see what happens with Alexander Isak.
Yoane Wissa looks close to being confirmed shortly as United’s second major signing of this summer window.
Whilst reports on Thursday of Newcastle now exploring a move for Benjamin Sesko, IF Alexander Isak does leave.
Reality is though that 20 days ahead of Newcastle United facing Aston Villa in the opening Premier League match of the season, United will face Arsenal in Singapore with Will Osula currently the only available NUFC first team striker.
The Mail have been speaking to Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn at the team’s Pan Pacific hotel in Singapore, with a certain absent teammate top of the agenda…
Bruno Guimaraes asked about Alexander Isak:
“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.
“Alexander 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.
“We are still in the market and looking for new options.
“But we have had success before and we can have success again.
“I’m more focussed on the players we have here (in Singapore). My job for the club is to try to keep the lads motivated.
“We have to be calm. We have to be patient. We know the directors are working the markets. We have Elanga, who has surprised me a lot in training, unbelievable.
“Since I signed for the club I’ve always had this ambition (to compete and see good players arrive). If I lose it, I’ll go back to Brazil and play there! I think the club has the same ambition as me.”
Dan Burn asked if he could understand it if Alexander Isak has a desire to further his career elsewhere:
“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.
“Alex hasn’t trained with a thigh issue that’s been ongoing since he’s been back that first few days.
“You always want to reinforce and bring in players. It’s nice to keep the squad fresh.
“But as I said, for us as a team, as a staff and players, it’s about controlling what we can control.”
