Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was asked about striker Alexander Isak's future at the club - and didn't offer a convincing response ahead of the summer transfer market

The Sweden international was left of the squad for Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday with a groin issue.

The Newcastle hierarchy are known to forward plan their transfer window objectives and have had the added boost of being able to enter pre-window discussions armed with the knowledge they can offer any potential incoming players the guarantee of European football - in some form - next season.