Alexander Isak was still waiting for a call from Liverpool over the weekend but a second bid for a Newcastle striker grabbed weekend headlines
Alexander Isak, pictured right, shakes hands with United teammate William Osula as Lewis Miley looks on
Eddie Howe is facing a huge decision on William Osula as Bayer Leverkusen eye a season long loan for the Denmark Under-21 star.
As Newcastle United head into the last throes of the transfer window, losing another striker when they are already in the market for two frontmen seems like a strange move.
But if the Magpies do land Yoane Wissa, after a long wrangle for the DR Congo forward with Brentford, and bring in a star to potentially replace Alexander Isak, Osula may benefit from a temporary switch away from St James' Park.
However, as news broke from Germany of Leverkusen's interest, the decision over the weekend was that progress must be made in the transfer market before any loan exit for Osula can be sanctioned.
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Sturm Graz were keen to sign the 22-year-old last term but the move was rejected by Newcastle. Despite getting a chance in pre-season after the departure of Callum Wilson, Howe is not convinced that the player is ready to play week in, week out.
Howe told Chronicle Live on Friday he could not allow Isak to leave without reinforcements coming in and said: "That is no disrespect to William Osula, he is progressing really well. But he has limited experience in the Premier League although I am really happy with his career progression."
Osula made a plea earlier this year for more of a chance at United but after netting against Bromley in the FA Cup and Ipswich Town in the Premier League had to be content with cameos from the bench.
He got his fair share of chances in pre-season but failed to score, leaving doubts over his ability to fill in for a superstar like Isak.
Last year Osula had said: "I just need playing time to show what I can do. It means something to me.
"I already know and only myself and my father know what I can do. When playing time comes, everyone will see what I can do on the pitch. Personally, I always have high hopes; I always set my standards high."
Incomings are now vital for Newcastle in the centre-forward department with Newcastle knowing that nobody is close from the U21 pool to stepping up.
Newcastle have looked at Sean Neave in the second string and took the young Geordie on pre-season but he remains a raw option.
When asked if Isak could be sold with nobody coming in as a replacement, Howe said: "I don't think the club will allow that situation to happen.
"We certainly can't go through the season with no recognised striker at the football club."