David Ornstein has now provided a "positive" update on Newcastle United's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko, with the Magpies taking a vital step towards his signature.
Howe: Isak has to "earn the right" to train with group
Alexander Isak missed Newcastle's Asia tour, before his desire to leave was quickly revealed and he found himself training at former club Real Sociedad. All signs were pointing towards Liverpool, who even saw two bids turned down, but as things stand their improved £110m bid the second time around looks set to be their final offer for the Swede this summer.
As such, Isak has awkwardly found himself back at Newcastle and with plenty of making up to do. The forward's relationship with those at St James' Park won't simply be as good as new, according to Eddie Howe. The Newcastle boss told reporters that his star man must "earn the right to train with the group".
"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 will make sure that 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."
Newcastle, meanwhile, have been pushing on with a transfer of their own. Going neck and neck with Manchester United in the race to sign Sesko, the Magpies have already made an opening offer in what has been the story of their summer.
Alas, this saga is far from over and Ornstein has now provided Newcastle fans with a much-needed "positive" update on their race to sign the forward.
Newcastle submit "improved" Sesko offer
As reported by Ornstein, Newcastle have now submitted an "improved bid" to sign Sesko worth €80m (£70m) before add-ons. "Positive" talks have also taken place between the two clubs and with Sesko, with Leipzig - as things stand - favouring a sale to those at St James' Park this summer.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko celebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
Given that there hasn't been a single offer from Manchester United so far, Newcastle are undoubtedly in pole position to sign Sesko this month and finally end their search for a striker. Whether his move will have a domino effect on Isak's future is the big question, however. The Slovenia international is certainly capable of acting as a replacement for the Swede if it does come to that.
The towering 6 foot 5' forward scored 21 goals in all competitions last season - six fewer than Isak - and has earned plenty of praise since playing a starring role for Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Newcastle's lengthy search for a striker has required plenty of patience, but landing on a player as talented as Sesko would prove worth the wait this month.