Newcastle United started the new Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday and star striker Alexander Isak was conspicuous by his absence.
The Magpies ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool last term. They also secured Champions League qualification, raising hopes of a fruitful 2025-26 season.
However, their new campaign has been overshadowed by the drama surrounding striker Isak. The Sweden forward is making every effort to force a move to Liverpool, but the deal seems stuck.
Isak was not involved in Newcastle's Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after making it clear he wants to leave St James' Park.
The 25-year-old saw a £110 million bid from defending champions Liverpool rejected earlier in August, while training away from the senior squad at Newcastle.
Despite the dire situation, manager Eddie Howe insisted Isak could yet be reintegrated.
“Yes, I believe there is (a way), but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen, but that's for another day,” Howe said.
“At the moment I would (expect him to stay) but I've got no change of feeling. It's not in my hands but he's contracted to us and that's why I say that.”
Apart from the Isak saga, Newcastle have endured a lukewarm transfer window.
Winger Anthony Elanga arrived from Nottingham Forest in early July before they signed defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton in August. Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is also close to joining from Villa.
But the spotlight remains on Isak, who is among the highest paid players at the club. According to reports, he faces a fine of two weeks' wages for missing a competitive match.
Below is the wage list of Newcastle United, compiled with the help of reports, capology.com and spotrac.com.
The highest paid players at Newcastle get paid significantly less than their counterparts at Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Newcastle United salaries for 2025-26
1. Bruno Guimaraes – £160,000 per week
=2. Anthony Gordon – £150,000 per week
=2. Joelinton – £150,000 per week
=4. Alexander Isak – £120,000 per week
=4. Sandro Tonali – £120,000 per week
=4. Kieran Trippier – £120,000 per week
=4. Aaron Ramsdale – £120,000 per week
8. Matt Targett – £100,000 per week
9. Sven Botman – £90,000 per week
=10. Harvey Barnes – £80,000 per week
=10. Joe Willock – £80,000 per week
=10. Anthony Elanga – £80,000 per week
13. Dan Burn – £70,000 per week
14. Malick Thiaw – £66,000 per week
=15. Nick Pope – £60,000 per week
=15. Fabian Schar – £60,000 per week
17. Emil Krafth – £55,000 per week
18. Tino Livramento – £50,000 per week
=19. Martin Dubravka – £40,000 per week
=19. Jamaal Lascelles – £40,000 per week
21. Jacob Murphy – £35,000 per week
22. William Osula – £20,000 per week
=23. Mark Gillespie – £10,000 per week
=23. Harrison Ashby – £10,000 per week
25. Lewis Hall – £7,000 per week
26. Lewis Miley – £5,000 per week
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
On Women's Day
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
You might also like
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Tips for used car buyers
Choose cars with GCC specifications
Get a service history for cars less than five years old
Don’t go cheap on the inspection
Check for oil leaks
Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
On racial profiling at airports
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Whiile you're here
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
**Name:**Almnssa
**Started:**August 2020
**Founder:**Areej Selmi
**Based:**Gaza
**Sectors:**Internet, e-commerce
**Investments:**Grants/private funding
While you're here
You might also like
TOURNAMENT INFO
Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers
Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.
TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
On Women's Day
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now