Newcastle United

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle commentator

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Alexander Isak is Newcastle's star player. He's their main man.

The supporters love him and his team-mates love him. Eddie Howe has changed his style of play to suit him and has got so much out of him.

What they want is to build their future - short term and long term - around him. Newcastle had been hoping to open contract negotiations this summer with Isak.

He has got three years remaining on his current contract so they are in a pretty strong position in that respect, but they wanted to tie him down for longer and give him a substantial pay rise. Those talks were planned for this summer but now a decision has to be made - something has to change.

It feels as if Newcastle's hand may be being forced here. If they don't offer him a new deal that is suitable for Isak and his people then maybe a move away will be the alternative and what happens.

If Newcastle are to sell Isak they will want top money because he is a top striker and his value to them is hard to state.

For a couple of years it has all been about Arsenal's interest, and Chelsea were mentioned last year when Newcastle were struggling with PSR - but Liverpool have come in hard with their strong interest this summer and it has been very public.

The question supporters are asking is whether Liverpool can afford to go big for Isak, especially after signings Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle wanted to sign to play alongside the Swede. He also could have been Isak's successor.

Howe said acting fast in the window was key but it has been a tough summer and this is yet another problem causing more anxiety among the fanbase.

This felt like it could be a transformative summer given the club are clear of the serious PSR issues they had last year.

They have the ability to spend money but they have not managed to close deals. Top targets have gone elsewhere, there have been ongoing sagas, and they have to get things right off the field.

There has been too much changer at executive level and they are short of people in those key roles. Howe is taking on more of a role when it comes to transfers.

There are a lot of issues off the pitch at Newcastle. It does feel like the club is lacking leadership generally at the moment.

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Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey says it is "disappointing" news has emerged of Alexander Isak's want to explore his options away from the club at this stage of the transfer window.

The Magpies have maintained Isak is not for sale and, speaking at the weekend, Eddie Howe said he was "confident" the player will be at the club at the start of the season.

"Where does he want to be?" Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's at a club who absolutely adore him. He'll be on unbelievable money, They've won something and they're in the Champions League - it would have to be some club to want to leave for.

"It just feels a bit disappointing it's come out now. If he wanted away he should have let people know very early on so Newcastle could get business done.

"It's case of if you don't want to be here, I don't want you part of the squad. I don't want it to be disruptive influence among the other players.

"He has been looked after very well by Newcastle, has three years left on his contract and we're open to giving him a pay rise, but for him to have his head turned is just disappointing at this stage.

"You have to agree with the fans' frustration because you have the nucleus of a very good team.

"It's put both the club and player in a poor position. The club don't want a player who wants away and the player's standing with the fans has dropped with not too long left of the window.

"Let's just try to get a deal done as soon as we can so we can try to get some players in - at least another one or two strikers - before the season starts."

Listen to the full programme dedicated to Isak, including a fan phone in, on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea are satisfied with their striker options Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, despite the sudden potential availability of Newcastle's Alexander Isak.

The 25-year-old Sweden striker is exploring a move away from St James's Park amid interest from Liverpool.

Chelsea previously looked into the chance of signing the striker in a PSR swap last summer but are not currently expecting to rekindle their interest.

They remain open to signing a different profile of attacker and are in talks to sign RB Leipzig and Netherlands forward Xavi Simons, as well as Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

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Lee Johnson from the Newcastle podcast True Faith says what should have been a transformative summer for the Magpies "seems to be turning into a bit of a nightmare".

Eddie Howe had already said he was "frustrated" by the lack of business they have been able to do in this window, but things have gone from bad to worse as striker Alexander Isak wants to explore his options elsewhere.

"Usually when that happens the writing is on the wall," said Johnson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Isak will have a very good idea of what he is worth at this moment in time.

"I totally understand why he wants to explore his options - we are stagnant at the moment in terms of what we can actually do.

"There is a food chain in football. Ultimately, we are not at the top of it.

"I will be gutted if we lose him because I'd hoped when Hugo Ekitike went to Liverpool it would have put Isak's potential move on the back-burner.

"He's a wonderful footballer... a world-class talent - no doubt about it.

"He is up there with Erling Haaland in terms of being one of the best strikers in the world. There is just something about him.

"He is clever with his football and he scores goals for fun, so we are very fortunate to have him.

"We've just had an amazing season, in which we won our first trophy in 70 years, and he helped us win that.

"The hope was that this summer would have been a transformation for ourselves but it seems to be turning into a bit of a nightmare now."

Liverpool are poised to make a British record bid for Newcastle's Alexander Isak. (Mail+ - subscription required), external

But Saudi side Al-Hilal are also preparing a bid, understood to be more than £130m, for Isak after the striker was not named in the Magpies' squad for their pre-season tour of Singapore. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Newcastle have turned their attention to Slovenia and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, 22, as their main target should Isak leave. (ipaper), external

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

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We asked for your views after Alexander Isak was not named in Newcastle's squad for their Asia tour because of what the Magpies describe as a "minor thigh injury".

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: If these tours are all about driving commercial revenue, surely you take your star striker regardless of a minor injury?

Kevin: Concerning. I hope it is just precaution. It would be really disappointing if he does leave this summer after all the hard work last season to get into the Champions League. Lack of transfers in areas and missing out on targets isn't making me feel any more confident for the coming season either.

Martin: Until he comes out and says he wants to leave, he is injured. Full stop.

Richard: I hope I am wrong but I do not see Isak being in a Newcastle shirt next season. I think the club will sell, but the way transfers have fallen so far, I worry that we will not be able to recruit to the level we need.

Bob: Is "thigh injury" just an excuse and he is on his way out? Be honest - the fans deserve it. If we go into the season with one striker who is not proven we have got no chance.

Kevin F: Isak had thigh problems end of last season so this is nothing new. But if it is true then it should have been sorted out by now. I just hope it's nothing more.

Mark: I think he is unsettled and can see him moving to another club. If he does, we desperately need other players up front. I hope I am wrong.

Richard: Something isn't quite right in my eyes. What really needs to happen here is Isak to come out and say he is staying and that's it, or we are going to have speculation all the time. Is it his agent fuelling the situation by saying: 'Why stay? You could earn mega bucks elsewhere.'

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Newcastle have signed South Korean winger Park Seung-soo from Suwon Bluewings.

The 18-year-old scored one goal and registered three assists in 28 senior appearances for the K League 2 side and has featured for South Korea Under-20s five times.

Park will initially join up with the Magpies under-21 squad.

"It's a huge honour to join Newcastle United," he said. "It's a big step for me and I feel incredibly thankful for the faith the club have shown in me.

"I'm excited to develop here, learn from the coaches, and give everything to become the best player I can be."

Academy director Steve Harper added: "Park is an exciting young talent with real potential.

"He's already shown maturity beyond his years in a competitive environment.

"His signing reflects our commitment to identifying and developing elite talent from across the globe."

Newcastle United are expected to choose Nottingham Forest chief football officer Ross Wilson as their preferred candidate to be their new sporting director, a role the Scot previously had with Scottish Premiership side Rangers. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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We want your views after Alexander Isak was left out of Newcastle's squad for their Asia tour.

The Magpies say the striker - the subject of transfer speculation including interest from Liverpool this summer - has a minor thigh injury.

Newcastle face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, before travelling on to South Korea to play a K-League All-Star team and Tottenham.

When asked about Isak going on the tour after Saturday's pre-season friendly against Celtic, boss Eddie Howe said: "Yes, absolutely. He's part of our squad. At this moment in time, I expect him to come."

So, what do you make of the news? A simple case of injury or are you worried there is more to it?

Let us know here

Striker Alexander Isak wants £300,000 a week to sign a new contract at Newcastle. (Talksport, external)

Brentford have rejected an opening offer of £30m from Newcastle for 28-year-old DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa. (TBRfootball, external)

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Alexander Isak's future and missing out on transfer targets have been consistent themes of Newcastle's summer, but ex-England midfielder Izzy Christiansen believes the club has a "trick in their armoury" if things do not work out.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe suggested part of the reason Isak was not involved in their pre-season friendly with Celtic was because of speculation on his situation.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is set to join Liverpool.

Discussing the club's summer on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former England captain Steph Houghton said: "The moment he [Isak] has been left out of that friendly at Celtic, that is a bit of a telling sign.

"They have made a bigger issue out of it really. If he was just there then nobody would really be saying anything.

"Eddie has said himself, in terms of this summer, it hasn't been great, with changes behind the scenes, players' deals and getting targets in. We know how crucial Isak is to Newcastle and the target of having another striker there to help Isak that is now potentially going to Liverpool is big news because you know how hard it is to get a striker.

"If I was a Newcastle fan, I would be worried at this moment in time."

Christiansen added: "I wouldn't necessarily say as a Newcastle fan that I was worried, but you would want to see positive activity over the next few weeks rather than negative ones.

"The targets that have chosen other clubs, they are also players who are of a different calibre to the ones that they have signed over the past five years. It is almost like if you don't get them through the door in this quest to evolve the football club, then they revert back to type anyway, which has got them to where they are; bringing in younger players with Eddie and his staff developing them and becoming competitive that way.

"It's almost like they do have a trick in their armoury that they know they can revert back to what they are good at. What they have done in this window is an attempt to kick on and who knows how that will work out for them."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are in danger of losing out to Manchester City in their attempt to buy 22-year-old Burnley and England goalkeeper James Trafford. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Trafford is "very keen" to return to City this summer after they moved to sign the Magpies target. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Newcastle will offer Tino Livramento a new contract to try to fend off interest from Manchester City, who are prepared to pay £65m for the full-back. (Times - subscription required), external

Alternatively, City are not planning a move for Livramento and are looking at other targets for the position. (ESPN), external

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

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Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes Alexander Isak will remain at the club next season because nobody can afford to buy him.

Anderson, who now summarises for BBC Radio Newcastle, said: "Once you've got good players and you've got very, very good players, they're always going to be linked with other teams. That's always been the nature of the game and that's never, ever going to go away.

"I just don't think anybody at this moment in time can afford Isak and that's the truth of it.

"There's a lot of speculation about whether he's going to sign a new contract and have the club offered him a new contract - I don't think the boy is in any hurry to sign a new contract because he's got three years left on his present deal. Why would he be?

"It's OK getting whatever you get for him. But how do you replace a player like that? That's the bottom line.

"You've got all the money in the world, yes, but can you get a player in who can do what he does?"

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It has been a quieter transfer window than many would have hoped for at Newcastle.

Anthony Elanga, from Nottingham Forest for £55m, is the only first-team signing the Magpies have made, despite being linked to a plethora of other players.

They include: Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Dean Huijsen and Hugo Ekitike, who have now all either completed a move elsewhere or are in the final stages of agreeing a deal.

"It has been a really frustrating summer," says Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. "We've been very close to signing several players and for different reasons - there's not one theme why we haven't signed more - we've ended up missing out on a few who would have made a difference.

"The one most important factor in any transfer is the player has to want to come to Newcastle. We're a very proud club and are proud of what we do, so any player has to feel that.

"If they don't, for whatever reason, I don't think it's a healthy transfer. Every player we have signed to this point, that's gone on to be hugely successful with us, has had that desire to come. So, for me, that's the number one thing.

"I'd say I'm hopeful rather than confident because we're not in control of the market or agents, players and other clubs.

"I can assure everybody we are a hundred per cent on it and trying to do things quickly."

Newcastle have also signed winger Antonio Cordero from Malaga, but the 18-year-old is expected to head out on loan next season to gain more experience.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says he chose to leave Alexander Isak at home for their pre-season friendly at Celtic, following reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.

The striker was not part of the squad that lost 4-0 on Saturday, but that also shouldn't be read into warns Howe.

"I'd never give a guarantee about anybody [staying] because I've been in football long enough to know I could end up looking silly," Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"But, the desire from everybody to keep him is as strong as it could be. Fingers crossed that will happen for us.

"We love him as a player and a person and want him to stay - and that is right through the club. He's an outstanding talent and a player we cherish.

"I think for any player speculation's not an easy thing to deal with, and not an easy thing to understand, when you're fielding calls and messages from players and people asking you all sorts.

"The media now is so strong and the media message goes far and wide.

"I don't think it's easy for any player to be under that scrutiny and that's part - ten per cent - of the reason why he wasn't here today.

"I just want him to focus on himself and his training and being ready for next week."

On whether Isak will travel with Newcastle to Singapore next week: "Yes, absolutely. He's part of our squad. At this moment in time, I expect him to come."

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Newcastle began their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Scottish Champions Celtic in Glasgow.

In front of 10,000 away fans in Celtic Park, the Magpies were 2-0 down at half-time before Eddie Howe introduced new signing Anthony Elanga for his first appearance as one of nine half-time changes.

However, the Magpies failed to work their way into the match and conceded twice more to Brendan Rodgers' side - who are already deep into their pre-season preparations before the Scottish Premiership gets underway on 3 August.

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Sean Longstaff has sent an emotional goodbye message to Newcastle, after his 118-year association with the club came to an end on Friday.

The 27-year-old completed a move to Leeds for £12m but has posted a video message on social media.

Alongside clips on his journey and best moments with the Magpies, Longstaff said: "I only ever had one dream when growing up and playing on the streets and local pitches in North Shields with my little brother and that was to put on those black and white stripes and play at St James' Park for Newcastle.

"We can always say we done that together. Fast forward 19 years, over 200 games, 16 goals, it's my time to say goodbye.

"We've seen it all: from the ups, to the downs and the magical nights under the lights.

"To finish this journey with our first major trophy in 60 years is something that will live with me forever.

"To all the players, coaches and staff- thank you. You are what makes this football club so special.

"And also the fans - whether it's at home or away, sunshine or rain, you have always been there cheering us on.

"St James' Park is a place I will always call home."

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We asked for your views on former Newcastle defender John Anderson's top five most underrated Magpies players of all time.

Anderson's list was:

5. Andy Griffin

4. Kevin Gallagher

3. Shola Ameobi

2. Sean Longstaff

1. Aaron Hughes.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Darren: Darren Peacock played for Toon as a centre-back in the Kevin Keegan days and was often the only defender doing his job. The concept of 'rest defence' just was not a thing with the Keegan teams and poor Darren was frequently left cruelly exposed as Steve Watson, Rob Elliot and Philippe Albert would all go charging up field. But he did a stalwart job amid very unfair criticism from the usual Monday morning midfield generals.

Stephen: Still annoys me that we let Aaron Hughes go for peanuts and replaced him with Jean-Alain Boumsong, who cost a fortune and was much worse.

Peter: Can't argue with John Anderson's picks for the great under-appreciated but I would try to push Scott Sellars in there somewhere. Him, David Kelly, John Bracewell and Barry Venison set the foundations for King Kev's entertainers

Andrew: If Shola Ameobi made the list, surely so should Steve Harper. A club legend, who all fans liked! But, how about a punt for Steven Taylor? At his peak, he was a starter for the team and super reliable. He also gave us an entire career. But he never got a chance to prove his talent for England, even when at his peak. Final shout out for Isaac Hayden. He was ultra reliable. Sad how it ended with him.

Jamie: Ando is a legend so by and large I agree with his choices. But, James Milner deserves a mention. Went on to have an unbelievable career, still going, has won everything there is at club level and could have made so much difference to a very modest team for so many years.

Paul: 1. Gaza 2. Beardsley 3. Waddle 4. Malcolm MacDonald 5. Andy Cole. The club underrated them all by letting them go. Fortunately, PIF have more sense!

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Earlier on Friday, we revealed numbers five to two in former defender John Anderson's list of this century's most underrated Newcastle players. And now it's time to tell you his 'winner'.

In first place, he has gone for defender Aaron Hughes, who made the 278 appearances for the Toon between 1997 and 2005.

"He was so underrated," Anderson told a BBC Radio Newcastle special. "He was a great player who could play all across the back four or as a holding midfielder. He had a great attitude and work-rate.

"It's only when you lose someone like him that you start to think how good he was.

"He went to Aston Villa and was outstanding at Fulham. We should have never let him go. He was a top player. He was a quiet lad who went about his business and who did everything right on and off the pitch."

So to recap Anderson's list:

5. Andy Griffin

4. Kevin Gallagher

3. Shola Ameobi

2. Sean Longstaff

1. Aaron Hughes.

What do you make of the selections? Did Anderson miss any players out?

Get in touch with your views here

And listen to the full rundown and the reasons behind the selections on BBC Sounds here