Newcastle United

This match was going to be intense anyway, but the Alexander Isak transfer saga has ramped it up a notch. There's going to be an edge to this one and, honestly, anything could happen.

Newcastle go into this game hampered by the fact they don't have a number nine. They were were brilliant against Aston Villa but guess what, they missed a centre-forward.

A lot has been made about Liverpool's defence, they conceded a couple of soft ones against Bournemouth so there'll be a worry there. But then you look at Liverpool's attack and you think, blimey.

Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, who had a blinder of a debut and who Newcastle wanted to sign. Funnily enough, had Newcastle got Ekitike then Isak would probably be at Liverpool.

There'll be goals in this. Neither of these sides take a backwards step. I veer towards Liverpool solely because Newcastle don't have a centre-forward. But, are they still capable of scoring goals? Absolutely.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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Newcastle are bracing themselves for another bid from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak after Monday's Premier League fixture between the two sides. (The I paper - subscription required), external

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Alex Rice
BBC Sport journalist

A first meeting between these sides since last season's Carabao Cup final, and once again Alexander Isak is the talk of the Toon.

At Wembley in March, he was being celebrated for his 52nd-minute strike that proved to be Newcastle's winner. Now he is in the middle of a stand-off with the club, following Liverpool's rejected £110m bid for the Sweden international in the summer. There may be a bit of tension in the air at St James' Park on Monday.

The dispute is one that both parties will be keen to resolve. Newcastle haven't scored in any of their past four Premier League matches without Isak (D2, L2), despite having 47 shots and accumulating an xG of 5.57 in these games.

While Newcastle began their campaign with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, Liverpool hit four past Bournemouth at Anfield. Frenchman Hugo Ekitike, one of four Premier League debutants for the Reds, opened the scoring and provided an assist, helping Liverpool extend their scoring run in the league to 35 games.

As bright as they were going forward, Liverpool looked susceptible to conceding on the break. Last season, the Reds only conceded two goals from fast breaks. Against Bournemouth, they equalled that number. Manager Arne Slot said sloppy passing in midfield was largely to blame but it will give a bit of hope to Newcastle and any other team facing the Premier League champions.

Going forward, though, they look irresistible under Slot. Liverpool have now scored 90 goals in 39 Premier League games under the Dutchman - an average of 2.3 per game. That is the best ratio of any Reds manager in the top flight. For now at least, they are coping better without Isak than Newcastle.

The latest episode of The Commentators' View has landed and it features debate on the behaviour of Alexander Isak.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Ian Dennis said: "Isak has behaved like a spoilt child and I think he wants his cake and he wants to eat it. And I think he's shown a great level of disrespect to Newcastle United and in particular the supporters who've idolised him. He's tarnished his reputation.

"I can't understand, if he wants the move as badly as it would appear, why has he not handed in a transfer request? And we know the reasons why, because of the financial ramifications that he would forsake if that was to happen. But I just think that he's been badly advised and I wouldn't at all be surprised if after that game he goes for somewhere in the region of £130m, that the deal is done.

"I just, I can't see a way for him to stay. I think it would be irretrievable now. The situation with after his statement and what Newcastle have said, if it doesn't happen, but I think it will, but if it doesn't happen, then good luck with trying to reintegrate him back into the squad."

Listen to the show in full

Image source, Getty Images

The role played by William Osula was a point of debate on BBC Radio Newcastle this week, with former Magpies defender Steve Howey stating he is "puzzled" as to why the striker isn't used more.

Osula has two goals in 20 appearances for the Magpies since joining in 2024, many of the outings coming from the bench.

Howey explained: "You've got a player there that's on the bench. You paid what, nearly £15m or something for him. When is he going to be ready?

"Newcastle are crying out for a centre-forward. We haven't got a real centre-forward. He is a centre-forward. I can understand if he was super young and he paid that amount of money, but if you're good enough, you're old enough. But paying something like between £13m and £15m for somebody, how are they not ready?"

• Listen to the debate

Newcastle United commentator Matthew Raisbeck responded to Howey, stating: "There are a lot of supporters asking that question and it's something that we will speak to Eddie Howe about at some point because we like to hear what he thinks about where Osula is.

"He was brought in as a young player with not a lot of senior experience from Sheffield United and a loan at Derby as well. He was brought in for development to work under Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak. He also, as well as playing as a centre forward, can operate out wide and some of his substitute appearances at the end of last season and in the FA Cup at Birmingham in February were on the right wing. But you're right, he is a centre forward.

"There was definitely a big improvement from him from where he was when he arrived to the end of last season. I saw a bit of him in pre-season though, and he played through the middle. He didn't really grasp the opportunity that was there. And there was an opportunity, a big one for him with the Isak situation and Wilson having left as a free agent. So I don't really think he took his chance in pre-season, but I'm not writing him off.

"So it might just be that they don't think that he's ready to deliver or able to deliver in the Premier League at this point in time, but I think it's certainly a valid question, and I know a lot of supporters are asking it."

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Should the dressing room's willingness to welcome Alexander Isak back come as a surprise?

Not only is Isak one of the best strikers in the world, the Swede still has a number of friends at the club.

But it was just a few days ago that Isak stressed that "the relationship can't continue".

How would the striker react if he is still at Newcastle when the window shuts on 1 September?

Would Isak be prepared to play for the club again if he is unable to secure a move to Liverpool?

That remains the big unknown.

Even Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted that was "a conversation for another day".

What is clear is that time is against both Isak and Newcastle.

Just as Newcastle do not foresee the "conditions of sale" being met to allow Isak to go, clubs elsewhere are reluctant to lose key players with just a week-and-a-half left to find a replacement.

Newcastle already needed at least one striker following Callum Wilson's departure last month, but the club have had multiple bids turned down for Brentford star Yoane Wissa while Wolves are adamant that Jorgen Strand Larsen is not for sale.

The search continues.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

You suspect Eddie Howe will be glad to see the back of this draining transfer window.

"I will be pleased when it's here," the Newcastle United head coach said in his pre-match news conference. "If we have what we want."

That remains a big if, of course.

With just a week and a half left until deadline day, there is no doubt what Newcastle want. And that is a quality replacement for Callum Wilson.

Finding one has proved difficult, of course, since Wilson left the club last month at the end of his contract, and the Magpies have had multiple bids rejected for Brentford star Yoane Wissa.

The Wissa pursuit illustrates the challenge the club have faced to recruit one striker – let alone an additional centre-forward capable of filling Alexander Isak's sizeable boots.

Isak may want out – the Swede has repeatedly made that clear – but Newcastle do not foresee the "conditions of sale" being met given the lack of viable alternatives available.

And that is before even addressing the possibility of Liverpool even making the sort of offer that actually gives Newcastle a decision to make.

Where does that leave the Tyneside club? In a "lose-lose" situation as far as Howe is concerned.

Either Newcastle lose Isak with so little time left in the window to find a worthy replacement or they are left with a wantaway player who has to, somehow, be reintegrated.

It is rather telling that Howe has not spoken to Isak since his explosive statement on Tuesday night, but the head coach has been consistent throughout this saga that the door remains open to the striker.

Howe even recognised on Friday that there are "two sides to every story" before going on to make the distinction between the "regrettable" situation and Isak's daily conduct during his three years at the club.

Isak may have made his feelings clear but, clearly, Howe has not given up on the 25-year-old one day playing for the club again.

Even if that feels like a distant prospect right now.

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Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Liverpool at St James' Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• New signing Jacob Ramsey is available and "has been really impressive in his first few days" of training. Howe added that there are no new injury concerns.

• He said "there's been no change" with the Alexander Isak situation and "he wont be part of the squad for this weekend's game".

• Howe said he has not seen Isak this week but the striker "is training later on, detached from the group".

• Despite the ongoing situation, Howe said they both "speak as normal", adding "there are no issues between us".

• On how the situation is unfolding: "My preference for these things it that it doesn't happen publicly. Everything is better dealt with behind closed doors, but in this situation, needs must and in this situation the club has spoken and justifiably so in that moment."

• In response to whether Isak can return to the squad: "My wish is that he will be playing with us on Monday and 100% I want to see him back in a Newcastle shirt."

• He said his players "would welcome" Isak back into the fold if he does not leave but "there is no way of knowing" what will happen before the window closes. Howe added: "It's a lose-lose situation. I don't think we can come out of this winning in any situation."

• Howe said Anthony Gordon has played as a striker "enough to be able to do the job really well for the team" in the meantime and "has devastating pace" to be a challenge to play against.

• More on Gordon filling the striker void: "I think he enjoys the role and he played really well last week. He had a lot of chances and a lot of shots so I thought it was a good display from him."

• He said the club "are still working on replacing Callum Wilson" and that is their focus in the closing stages of the transfer window.

• On Monday's game against Liverpool: "The first home game is always going to be electric. I love experiencing those nights with the energy that the crowd bring us and I have no doubt that this will be a really passionate display from the home support."

• He said his players "need to harness that" passion and "use it but not be reckless with it". Howe added: "We need to concentrate on the game and not get too emotional."

• Howe also said that he "100% wants to see him (Isak) back in the Newcastle shirt."

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Wayne Rooney doesn't think "there is any way back for Alexander Isak at Newcastle" and if he was one of his team-mates then he wouldn't want him to be re-integrated either.

The clock on the transfer window is counting down but Isak remains in the North East despite going on strike and penning a strong Instagram post about moving on.

"If I'm a Newcastle player, I don't want Isak back," Rooney said on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show. "I think if players leave football clubs - and that happens all the time - there's a way to go about it.

"You can't go on strike, can't not turn up for training and train with your team-mates.

"If you want to leave the club or not, you have to be there for your team-mates and be ready if needed. So I think if I was a player I wouldn't want him back.

"He's deserted you. He doesn't want to be there, he doesn't want to be your team-mate. So I wouldn't want him back.

"Now, Newcastle aren't happy with Isak's behaviour because Liverpool want to sign him. But then on the flip side of that, Newcastle are trying to sign Yoane Wissa who's behaving the exact same way at Brentford.

"I remember Anthony Gordon not playing for Everton because he wanted to go to Newcastle. So you can't have it both ways.

"But in terms of Isak's team-mates, I wouldn't want him back. Once you've overstepped the mark I think it's very difficult to come back in.

"You can ask to leave a football club - that happens - or the club tell you you're leaving. But you have to be professional.

"You've got friends in there who you play with, you have fans who are paying a lot of money to support and you can't just walk out on it. And if they're going to do it once, they'll do it again.

"For me, I don't think there's any way back for Isak at Newcastle. I think there are cases where it can happen, but from me as a person, don't think I could accept them back."

Listen to the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are preparing for Liverpool to return with a new bid of between £120-130m for 25-year-old Sweden forward Alexander Isak. (Teamtalk), external

Wolves are facing a fight to keep Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, as Newcastle continue to push to sign the 25-year-old for around £60m. (Express and Star), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown says Alexander Isak " shouldn't just walk straight back into the team" if his desired move away from Newcastle does not materialise.

The club's statement in response to Isak's own on Tuesday says the wantaway striker "remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates".

"What's frustrating for a teammate is you start the season and he's in the building but not even at training," Brown told the Football Daily podcast.

"The first thing Isak should be doing is always be fully behind everything his teammates are doing. I think that's only an honourable and right thing to do to go and give that support.

"I do understand when it comes to game days where you can start going 'well, if I get injured here then I could miss this dream move'. That's the danger.

"But, in regards to respect to everybody, I think the dressing room will be disappointed during these first couple of games about how the whole thing is all about him rather than about the success and drive they have at the start of the season and how hard they've worked.

"It's not helping the recruitment side of things. His teammates will want to see bodies coming in. If I'm there am I looking over my shoulder and thinking 'we're not going to be the team that gets top four or five'?

"I'd be trying to get a hold of him and trying to get him back in but it's gone too far now to where this is a real mess. Newcastle have said he'd be welcome back at any point. I think that's also dangerous and not the right message.

"I would tell Isak he can stay where he is if that is his opinion and we'll sort it out at some point. He shouldn't just walk straight back into the team I don't think."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel says he "can't see any other outcome" other than Liverpool making a fresh approach for Alexander Isak next week, but only after the Reds play Newcastle at St James' Park on Monday.

The trading of statements between club and player on Tuesday evening has intensified speculation over the Sweden striker's future.

"Nothing can happen before the game," Mokbel told the Football Daily podcast.

"But, I'd be flabbergasted if Liverpool don't make some sort of approach next week for Alexander Isak.

"In my mind there was no way Liverpool didn't know he would release that statement. So, after he did that I can't see any other outcome but Liverpool making another offer or some sort of approach for him next week.

"Whether that's successful or not will depend on the level of money they're prepared to put into the pot. If Liverpool have to continue to up their offer, then there's only a certain amount of money to go round.

"The more they put into the transfer fee, the less you'd imagine they'd be able to pay Isak at Anfield. There's certainly a catch 22 situation there.

"I can't imagine a situation where he sits out an entire season. It sounds absolutely ludicrous to me for someone in the prime of their career to throw away a season because he didn't get his dream move."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I'm as sick as talking about Alexander Isak as any Newcastle fan after this summer. It has been totally blighted by the saga around him wanting to leave, not being able to leave, not being for sale, being for sale at the right price etc etc.

With that in mind, I'm just going to talk about Alexander Isak for a bit.

The reason for this - if you don't frequent the Newcastle United corner of the internet (you do, you're here) - is because on Tuesday night he released a little statement saying he was promised things and the relationship with the club has broken down as a result of those promises not being upheld.

He had been quiet for the duration of this saga. Blessed silence. How I miss it.

Before this, the sentiment in the fanbase seemed to be: OK, he has behaved badly this summer but he is still a brilliant player and we want him to reintegrate. It is reasonably safe to say that sentiment has been eroded.

The club response, short and sweet, suggested Newcastle expect him to return to his team-mates and work with the squad. I don't know how realistic that is - though if anyone can do it, Eddie Howe can.

To the supporters, though, he has some serious grovelling to do. Newcastle fans reward loyalty. We love it when players 'get' our club. It seems obvious Isak does not.

Where do we go from here? Continue the conversation through public written responses?

However this plays out, it isn't going to be pretty. It already seems quite ugly. Just in time for us to play Liverpool at St James' Park on Monday night!

All eyes on that game - and no doubt the atmosphere will be very spicy no matter how the next few days go.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford forward Yoane Wissa wants to join Newcastle, who need reinforcement up front, given the current stand-off between the club and star striker Alexander Isak. The Magpies have made their move with an improved £40m bid.

The 28-year-old Wissa has form in replacing big names, having had an impressive 2024-25 campaign filling the void left by Ivan Toney's £40m departure to the Saudi Pro League last summer, a sale which heralded a change in Wissa's role for Brentford.

He moved from an attacking midfield or support striker position to centre-forward and, as a result, was far more involved in the penalty box.

This change in emphasis resulted in the best scoring campaign of the DR Congo international's 12-season senior league career, with all 19 of his Premier League goals coming from inside the box.

The DR Congo international ranked second overall for open-play goals in 2024-25, level with Isak, and ahead of the likes of former team-mate and new Manchester United man Bryan Mbeumo and his fellow Old Trafford colleague Matheus Cunha.

It is a theme of Wissa's top-flight career, with all 45 of his Premier League goals having been scored from open play.

Newcastle looked in need of a cutting edge in their Premier League opener at Aston Villa last weekend, and Wissa's haul of 19 league goals last season makes him an attractive proposition – if the price is right.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United fan Kendall Rowan speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about Alexander Isak's future.

She was initially asked if the striker will feature in the famous black and white stripes again.

"I was very steadfast in saying that no, probably we wouldn't," says Kendall.

"Eddie Howe, he likes the personality, the the way that players conduct themselves. And obviously Alex hasn't really done that very well in the last few weeks with this saga. So I I don't know if he ever plays again. I think we've been really good in kind of leaving that door. Hoping from our side with Eddie backing him in the major and saying there is a way back if Alex wants that, but that's up to Alex.

"We've been very much putting the onus on to him for wanting to leave. So there probably is a way - football's very fickle. And if he performs well and apologises and signs a new deal, I feel like maybe there's a very, very small percentage. But the disrespect that he's shown to the club and to the fanbase I just think is so hard to ignore and a lot of people will find that very, very difficult to forgive because he is still under contract and he has not fulfilled that contract as of now.

"So missing league games, we can't like plan for the future because we don't know whether he's going to stay, whether he's going to go. So, yes, it's just been very difficult. He's let a lot of people down. I'm just so disappointed in how he's behaved."

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Lesley, Football Extra reader, asked me: With reference to the Alexander Isak situation, as a player in the dressing room with him, when would you consider a line to have been crossed that means he would not be welcomed back into the team? Missing training, missing a match, missing two... ?

A lot depends on the player, the personality and the way he has behaved. The team will find it hard to fully forgive their errant wantaway team-mate if he is hurting the group, but turning on him totally is different. This is where we are with Alexander Isak right now: they can't use him if he refuses to play and they can't replace him if he isn't sold. Everyone is suffering.

Within the squad, everyone knows it is just brinkmanship on both sides; we have all been there to a greater or lesser degree when moving clubs. When the business is about the money, it almost invariably gets uglier the longer it goes on.‌

The end of the transfer window is getting closer. Isak will be listening to his advisors. He has to know that however unhappy, uncomfortable and unpopular he is just now, if this works out for him and he ends up at Liverpool soon, then in his eyes it will have all been worth it... with bells on.

What the former team-mates think of him will matter little; it is what his new team-mates think that then matters.

Football is generally selfish and there is little loyalty from either clubs or players when it doesn't suit them. One outlook I'm sure Isak would like to be shared just now is that, from his perspective, he arrived costing £60m, did a fine job, scored more than 60 goals three seasons. If he leaves, Newcastle will probably have doubled their money. That isn't a bad return for his services.‌

There is little point in Newcastle - or indeed any football club - trying to claim the moral high ground. Right now, Yoane Wissa is not playing for Brentford because he is hoping for a move to Newcastle. How radically different is that to Isak's situation?‌

Players know this is how it works and it is why the Newcastle dressing room might be very disappointed in Isak, but they will not necessarily turn on him, because next season it might just be them in the same situation.

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