Sadly for Newcastle United, Alexander Isak continues to dominate the headlines despite a reasonably positive start to the season.
Newcastle fans aimed angry chants towards Isak after he missed Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa, a game in which Eddie Howe’s side performed well following a very difficult summer.
It’s hard to see how the Sweden star restores his reputation amongst the fanbase even if he does end up staying.
Newcastle continue to insist Isak isn’t for sale even despite his obvious wishes to go amid ongoing interest from Liverpool. Perhaps that could change if the club are able to sign two forwards, but there is limited time left in the transfer window.
Missing a competitive match was an all-time low for Isak at Newcastle. Still, Luke Edwards provided an update on the feeling behind the scenes.
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-rumayyan is seen at a golf event in Scotland.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Alexander Isak set to stay at Newcastle United
Edwards, who has constantly claimed that the Sweden international simply isn’t for sale this summer, was speaking on BBC’s Football Daily.
Reflecting on the Isak situation, the Daily Telegraph journalist said: “I think they knew weeks ago that Isak wasn’t going to play against Aston Villa.
“They are not expecting him to play again for the football club, and I say again deliberately, until after the window has shut in September.
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“I can’t see there’s any way he’s going to play against Liverpool, the club he wants to join, the club he’s desperate to join.
“I can’t see him doing that but Newcastle are still continuing to insist he’s not for sale. I think the problem – and I’ve said this last weekend as well – that Liverpool have is that Newcastle need to sign two strikers.
Alexander Isak looks frustrated during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
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“They don’t need to sign one. They need a replacement for Callum Wilson and then they need to find a player of suitable quality or potential to replace Alexander Isak.
Edwards added: “So Liverpool are going to have to come back with a bid that is at least approaching £150million. They are never going to get him for £110million, they are never going to get him for £120million.
“I think we are still in this stand-off, this deadlock. Alexander Isak has tarnished his reputation on Tyneside to the point where it’s going to be very difficult for him to come back.
“But I don’t think the Newcastle owners, and I will stress the owners, care. They are still sticking to this rigid argument: ‘He’s not for sale, we can’t replace him, we haven’t got time to replace him and Liverpool aren’t meeting our valuation.’
“I think the only way he goes, as uncomfortable as it may be is if you see Newcastle sign two strikers before September 1, then I think he may go.
“Everything I’m hearing is that he won’t do. I think Alexander Isak has been terribly advised. I think he’s behaved really badly, he’s trying to make it as uncomfortable as possible and as difficult for Newcastle to keep him.
“But that is what they are still intending to do.”
Finally, Edwards added: “How he comes back from this I don’t know but I just do not see Newcastle’s resolve breaking on it.”
What Eddie Howe has said about Alexander Isak’s potential ‘club record’ fine
The Newcastle owners could fine Isak a club record amount for missing the Villa game, with the striker thought to have avoided disciplinary up until this stage.
Speaking after the draw at Villa Park on Saturday, Howe provided an update.
The Newcastle United manager said (via The Independent): “Other people are dealing with that issue. I’m concentrating on the team and our next game.”
Isak seems unlikely to feature in Newcastle’s huge game against Liverpool on Monday for either team.
That is a major blow. With Yoane Wissa’s move to Newcastle in doubt, there’s every chance Howe could again have to turn to Anthony Gordon up front.
On the pitch, they are being tested. Off the pitch, it seems PIF are refusing to budge.
It surely did not have to play out like this. If he really does stay, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Isak’s fourth and surely final season at Newcastle unfolds.