Newcastle United fans made their feelings clear over Alexander Isak at full-time after drawing with Aston Villa
Aaron Stokes is our Newcastle United Editor. Born and bred in the north-east, Aaron left Newcastle in 2017 to work in London for Reach PLC's national titles. After five years in the capital, he returned to take up his current role at The Chronicle in March 2022.
Alexander Isak applauds fans
Alexander Isak wants to explore his options(Image: PA)
With each passing day, it is becoming harder to see just how there can be a way back for Alexander Isak at Newcastle United, despite what Eddie Howe continues to believe.
"Nothing has changed - but the door is well and truly open [for Isak]. But he has to decide what he wants to do," the Magpies boss said moments after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa; a game Isak missed.
Up until this point, the player has very much decided he does not want to be part of this group anymore. Howe, meanwhile, wants him back in training and available for selection. That, still, is not an option.
Despite growing frustration among the St James' Park faithful, there was always a belief in some quarters that Isak could return to the fold.
After all, both Harry Kane and Luis Suarez told Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, respectively, they would not play for the club again, only to stay put and enjoy impressive spells in the months after.
However, hearing the away fans at Villa Park labelling the Swede a 'greedy b******' at full-time was a shock. It feels like a defining moment in this saga. That type of language is hard to come back from.
Of course, should Isak return, apologise and continue finding the back of the net, all will likely be at least forgotten, if not forgiven, in the short-term.
But we now appear to be reaching a breaking point. A point of no return. As Newcastle supporters watched a slightly toothless display in the Premier League opener, the frustration that the club's record signing was purposely choosing to sit it out only grew.
Howe continues to insist the emphasis is on Isak as to what happens next but really it is Liverpool who must now make the big call. Improve their offer for the wantaway striker and you suspect he departs - provided Newcastle find a replacement.
However, should the Reds decide to end their pursuit of the 25-year-old, the hill Isak will then have to tackle looks steep. Getting back into the good books of this passionate fan base will take some doing.
Howe's men battled on bravely on Saturday, giving all for the badge in what was a tricky arena for a curtain raiser.
Anthony Gordon tried to make things work as a makeshift centre-forward, while Anthony Elanga impressed out wide.
"It is very easy for the players to have a feeling of negativity going into the game or an excuse there ready but there was no sign of that in our performance," Howe said.
"That is why I am so pleased with everybody. It is one game out of 38 in the Premier League season so we are not going to overreact to it either way but today was very good."
It is not yet clear where the absent Isak watched Newcastle's Premier League opener. In truth, he may have decided not to watch at all.
But the exiled star will certainly be aware of the abuse aimed at him from a selection of supporters who, as recently as two months ago, worshipped the very ground he walked on.
If anything shows the unpredictability of football, it is that those same fans have turned, very publicly, in such a short space of time.
What happens next is anyone's guess but those fans who paid money to support the team down at Villa Park made sure to make their feelings towards Isak abundantly clear.