Newcastle United fans in the away end at Villa Park have made their feelings perfectly clear on wantaway striker Alexander Isak with a brutal X-rated chant aimed at the Liverpool transfer target.
Isak has refused to train with his teammates lately in a bid to force through an exit, though Newcastle has so far insisted that he won't be sold. And Magpies fans could be heard singing "There's only one greedy b------" at the final whistle after their side drew 0-0 with 10-man Aston Villa.
Liverpool is set to play Newcastle next in the Premier League. The Reds will take on Eddie Howe's team a week on Monday in a fixture that could have a very lively atmosphere.
"There has been no change," Eddie Howe said heading into the weekend's game. "All my focus has been on training, and Villa, and the transfer front.
"That is all-consuming. Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while, and that will continue to be the case.
"I said many times this summer, I want him to train, I want him to play. But I think those conversations need to remain private.
"I've had a great relationship with Alex. You need that with every player. I take my part in that relationship really seriously. I have to work really closely with the player to his benefit."
Liverpool has seen one bid worth around $148 million (£110 million) turned down for Isak. But Liverpool is not expected to return with another offer until Newcastle opens the door for a transfer.
So far, the Magpies have had a tough summer and have been unable to bring in their priority transfer targets. Up front, they have missed out on the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro.
"Disaster pre-season. Absolute disaster. Where do I start?" club legend Alan Shearer said this week. "One win. All of the talk has been about Alexander Isak.
"It has been a disaster, it really has. After what should have been, I thought, a time for Newcastle to kick on, after winning a trophy, after getting into the Champions League.
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"I thought it was the time to go out and bring in three or four big players. I thought that was going to happen.
"I've said about the chief executive and sporting director, I think it's nonsense they have not had those in. Whether that has hampered them or not, I guess it has.
"They need to sort the situation out as quickly as possible with Isak. I guess he stays, until they get someone in and Eddie can maybe talk him around — if that isn't possible then [they need to sell him].
"They've just got to get some players in. They needed a forward anyway, so now they need two center-forwards."