Yasir Al-Rumayyan made a beeline towards Eddie Howe at the final whistle following the pulsating clash against Liverpool
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan applauds the fans following the team's qualification for the UEFA Champions League
Newcastle United supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan wants to bring the Alexander Isak saga to a close at St James' Park - one way or another.
Attempts to get Isak to stay at Newcastle took place at the striker's home yesterday, but the Sweden international is sticking to his guns and wants to leave the club.
Al-Rumayyan was keen to show that PIF still mean business - whether Isak stays or not - and a show of connection is believed to be the reason why he wanted to share a moment with the staff and players last night on the hallowed turf.
Newcastle are yet to receive a second bid for Isak or get any real encouragement on an offer leaving United pondering their next move, which could be telling the star he may have no choice but to stay.
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In his post-game Press conference last night, Howe stated that he only wanted to focus on players "committed" to staying on Tyneside just hours after Isak had sat down with the Newcastle chairman and director Jamie Reuben.
Al-Rumayyan made his way down the tunnel from the stands and on to the field at full-time and was joined by a delegation from PIF who wanted to show their support for Howe and his players.
But a financial gesture is set to come next and everybody at the club is focused on ensuring Newcastle are equipped with the right players for the first half of the season.
Club insiders also made it clear that the move to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen was to replace Callum Wilson, not to come in as response to Isak potentially being sold.
When asked why Al-Rumayyan was in town, Howe responded last night: "I don't know why he's here in the sense of if that's the main reason. He's here, obviously, to watch the team and support the team and show his presence, which is much-appreciated from my perspective and much-loved by everyone when he's here and connecting with the players.
"He's the owner, he's the most important person in terms of directing which decisions we make, but as I said, I'm not party to any conversations that have happened today, so I've got no idea what direction that's in."
Reaction of Newcastle players telling
Some of the Toon stars slumped to the ground on the final whistle in sheer exhaustion after pushing Liverpool all the way.
But there was a slight difference to this performance and the Carabao Cup final when United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley earlier this year. And that was that the Magpies had protected the result in a much more guarded manner at Wembley.
Remember Callum Wilson running the clock down and holding on to the ball? At 2-2 and deep into stoppage Lewis Miley rolled a pass back to Nick Pope who made an unconvincing clearance before Liverpool threaded 13 passes together and scored the winning goal.
It was a cruel end to a top effort from Newcastle players in which they just fell short, but there are learnings to take from it.
Injury issues already piling up
Eddie Howe could be without four players for the trip to Leeds United after three stars went off injured and Anthony Gordon starts a three-match ban.
Fabian Schar is suffering with concussion, Sandro Tonali has an arm injury and Joelinton limped off with a groin problem.
All three are doubtful for Elland Road on Saturday night but it could offer a chance for Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw to make full debuts while Miley will also be keen for a start.
Given the lack of strikers at St James' Park, Gordon's ban is the last thing Howe needs but he can at least take something from William Osula's first goal of the season.
Any attempts from Bayer Leverkusen to sign Osula have now been blocked with the Dane the only striker available with any experience now.
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