Eddie Howe on Isak's absence: “It was my decision. I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him."
I read that too, and i don't know what other speculations he is talking about, Liverpool asked about Isak's availability, of which Newcastle unequivocally said he wasn't for sale. The champions on the other hand have since then moved over to other targets, in the person of Hugo Ekitike and i am almost certain Liverpool will get him. So, i don't know the speculations Howe is talking about, because AFAIK, Liverpool are out of the picture for Isak.