An irreparable relationship
Reliable sports journalist David Ornstein has provided a hot new update via The Athletic on the story of the summer - Alexander Isak to Liverpool - suggesting the 25-year-old has 'no wish to reintegrate' with the Newcastle squad ahead of their season opener against Aston Villa this Saturday.
The Reds first showed an interest in the Swedish international earlier in the window. Now with his head truly turned and no preseason minutes for the Magpies, a sour narrative looms over Eddie Howe's team - a side that are looking to retain their spot in the highest echelon of European football.
Newcastle and Isak have been unable to agree to new terms on a deal that will keep the forward at the club for the long-term, with salary demands around the £300,000 per week range.
In early August Liverpool sent a low-ball £110 million bid to acquire the Swede's services - which was unsurprisingly rejected - and have since been patiently waiting to pull the trigger on a second offer.
Newcastle do not appear to be budging from their £150m valuation of the striker, and with just under three weeks left of the summer window there's a feeling that Newcastle must get their ducks in order by bringing in two forwards to replace not only Isak but also Callum Wilson, who left the Magpies upon the expiration of his contract.
Last season Isak certainly lived up to his £63m price tag, netting 23 goals and collecting six assists in 34 Premier League appearances. So you can understand the club's reluctancy to sell him.
Isak was the star of the show and propelled Newcastle to their first piece of silverware in 70 years - notably netting the second goal in their 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over new lust Liverpool.
Now with a severed player-club relationship, the feeling around Tyneside is that their star asset will likely be moved on before deadline day.
Howe will have to play Moneyball
It is no surprise that Newcastle are reluctant to sell. Isak still has three years remaining on his contract, running through to 2028. However everyone involved with the club almost has to look at the situation as glass half full.
If they can get £130-150m and reinvest not only at the striker position but elsewhere, smartly, then the club will be in a much healthier situation 12 months down the line.
They simply cannot let the Swede ride the bench and pocket £120,000 every week.
It is a reputation breaker, a decision that not only reduces the ceiling of a promising Newcastle team that are certainly on the rise, but makes Tyneside a far less attractive destination to play football.
Who can Howe trust up top?
With Isak leaving Howe needs to replace the 29 goal-involvements he provided in the league last term, with Anthony Gordon the most likely in-house option who will see a true uptick in output.
Gordon recorded an underwhelming 12 G/A last season, now likely the focal point of the attack, should see his numbers increase.
New face Anthony Elanga can certainly make a name for himself too if the Magpies are unable to bolster their attacking depth. For Nottingham Forest last season the Swede netted six goals and provided a healthy 11 assists - the third most in the Premier League.
Yoane Wissa has been linked with a move to Tyneside for a large part of the summer window, scoring 21 goals in the 2024/25 season, all surprisingly from open play.
With both Brentford and Newcastle leaning heavily on transitional based football, it will not take long for the 25-year-old to adjust to Howe's play style and start scoring in black and white.