Newcastle United

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The conversation around striker Alexander Isak has dominated Newcastle's time in Singapore.

After Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Arsenal, Magpies manager Eddie Howe said "nothing had changed" with Isak's situation and there was no chance of him flying out to join his team-mates during the trip to Asia.

"It's business as usual for the players," said Howe. "Naturally we're going to miss a player of Alex's quality. The group will feel that.

"I can't sit here and claim they won't but we have a very professional group of players. They've been brilliant in terms of managing the situation.

"It was a great opportunity for [William] Osula to get more minutes than he would have done if we had more players in that position.

"A chance to showcase what he's about. He looked fitter and sharper through the work we've done. His attitude was good. He looked hungry.

"Every player in our squad has to be ready to play. We don't have the biggest squad so everyone has to contribute. I'd have no hesitation [in starting Osula]."

The Newcastle boss also says they "are not deluded" and know they also need to "bring players in" before the start of the new season.

Reflecting on the game and transfer movement, Howe added: "It was a brilliant game for us. The type of challenge we will face in the Premier League and Champions League, so what better way to prepare for the season.

"They were easily avoidable goals and that's a good thing for us because they're quick fixes. If you add that to some of our good attacking play that's a good sign.

"We're not deluded. We know we need to bring players in. We've known that for a long time.

"It's been a challenging transfer window. Let's see what we can do."

Newcastle and Tottenham are interested in Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, 28, but the Brazil forward is also wanted by Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan. (Caught Offside), external

Aston Villa are set to rival AC Milan and Newcastle for England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 28, who is a free agent after leaving Everton. (Sun), external

Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham will battle it out for Serbia and Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, 30. (Caught Offside), external

Finally, the Magpies are expecting to receive a formal offer from Liverpool for 25-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak next week. (Mail), external

Leyton Orient have won the battle to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joe White, 22, on a loan deal after the Englishman's spell with MK Dons last season. (Football Insider), external

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

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle fell to a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal after the Gunners' news striker Viktor Gyokeres was introduced to the crowd before the pre-season friendly in Singapore.

Just like Arsenal, it is the conversation around a Swedish striker that has dominated the club's time in Singapore.

Alexander Isak is considering his options amid interest from Liverpool and manager Eddie Howe has had to field numerous questions about his striker's future.

Howe said that the club is looking to do business in the transfer window in the time that remains and that whatever happens with Isak's future "has to be right for Newcastle".

Another Swede Elanga, one of the Magpies' few summer arrivals so far, got his first Newcastle goal and was a bright point in attack alongside William Osula.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the settling of Alexander Isak's future at St James' Park "has to be right for Newcastle".

The 25-year-old striker is considering his future at the club amid interest from Premier League champions Liverpool.

Isak did not travel with the Newcastle squad to Singapore on Thursday, with the club stating he has a thigh injury, but the Sweden international wants to explore a move away from the club.

A source has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in Isak, despite signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m.

Speaking before Sunday's pre-season friendly against Arsenal, Howe said: "Of course there are things going on behind the scenes.

"Conversations that happen with Alex and the club, or Alex and myself, will stay private for obvious reasons.

"We do share a good relationship. He has been magnificent for us since he joined. He is very popular in the dressing room.

"We would love him to continue his journey at Newcastle, although whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle."

Last Saturday, after Isak missed the pre-season friendly against Celtic, Howe said the player would "absolutely" be part of his squad for their upcoming games in Singapore and South Korea.

However, the striker is currently in Newcastle having his thigh injury assessed. "Hopefully he will be back soon and playing in the black and white shirt," Howe added. "That's what we all want to see."

The manager also revealed that he has not yet had any direct contact with Newcastle's board about Isak's future, but added that any contract talks would take place "at a later date".

When asked if Isak would stay this summer, Howe replied: "I said after the Celtic game that I certainly hope he stays and I was confident he would stay.

"I don't see anything that will change my opinion at the moment - but it is football and who knows what the future may bring."

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle are exploring a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in case Alexander Isak leaves this summer - as BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel reports – but is he the man to fill the Sweden international's sizeable shoes on Tyneside?

Isak found the net 27 times in 42 games last term and is playing arguably the best football of his career.

The 25-year-old has notched 44 league goals over the past two seasons – a tally only bettered by six players in Europe's top five divisions, including Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.

But he wasn't always so prolific.

When he first joined Newcastle for a club record fee of £63m in 2022 he had scored just six league goals for Real Sociedad in the previous season - which was under his expected goals total of 9.78.

Isak was just 22 then and Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was keen to stress that he saw the Swede as an "outstanding talent" rather than the finished article. The same can be said of Leipzig's 22-year-old Sesko, although the numbers suggest he is a more rounded player at the same age.

Sesko overperformed his expected goals total by 6.3 in 2023-24 and by 3.1 during the last campaign, in which he converted an excellent 19.1% of his chances.

The Slovenia international also holds a physical advantage.

Standing at close to 6ft 5in, Sesko contested almost double the number of aerial duels last season than Isak did in 2021-22, and won 11.4% more.

He is also deceptively quick, recording a top speed of 35.7 km/h in 2024-25, placing him among the Bundesliga's fastest attacking players.

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's summer transfer business so far and the number of targets opting to go elsewhere.

Here are some of your comments:

James: It is understandable we are missing out in targets due to wages, but lowballing clubs to allow rivals to enter the race and pay the figure that selling teams demand is frustrating. If we had gone in early with acceptable figures for both Joao Pedro and James Trafford I believe they would be Newcastle players. I am also very sure that Benjamin Sesko will find a team that will pay higher wages and that means we are left with not selling Alexander Isak, who doesn't want to be at Newcastle, or selling him and having no replacement. Poor management from the club - they either should have offered a decent contract to Isak or made contingency plans.

Tony: Simply dreadful. Eddie Howe said move fast and we have done the complete opposite. I suspect the 'turmoil' behind the scenes at the club does not help sell the project to players. We urgently need a CEO and sporting director in place and to start securing some new bodies through the door who will not only add depth but quality to the squad.

Robert: The boardroom team are not working in harmony with Howe to get the deals done. We need Amanda Stavely back negotiating.

Chris: Howe has yet again been massively let down by those above him. Why do we keep lowballing for these great players who we need to get Champions League football again, then act annoyed when we inevitably get outbid. The speed of our transfers is also baffling. Starting to lose faith - we can't continue to act this way. Five players needed in the next few weeks to claw back fans' faith. £150m for Isak please - we only want players who want to be here.

Ozzy: Some Toon fans are complaining about how the club has gone about its business during this window - without knowing any of the behind-the-scenes details! We've only lost players to the 'big clubs'. They have more revenue than us and therefore have more to spend (PSR), and they're also perceived as being more successful. To start addressing these problems we need to get our new stadium approved and built ASAP.

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Goalkeeper James Trafford is set to become the latest player linked with Newcastle this summer to sign for another club when he completes his move to Manchester City from Burnley.

It is understood City had a buy-back clause for Trafford but also matching rights, allowing them to match any offer from another club.

They have done so following a £27m bid from the Magpies but Trafford opted for a return to Etihad Stadium.

It is the latest blow this transfer window. Newcastle are preparing to fight on multiple fronts in 2025-26 after securing a return to the Champions League, but have been slow in strengthening their squad during the off-season.

They have fallen short in their pursuit of reinforcements, with targets Joao Pedro and Liam Delap joining Chelsea, while Hugo Ekitike chose a move to Liverpool.

Forward Anthony Elanga is the only new addition to Howe's ranks after his £55m switch from Nottingham Forest.

With Callum Wilson having left at the end of his contract and Alexander Isak's future looking more uncertain, a move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa remains a top priority for the club, while they are also understood to be exploring a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club this week, former England captain Steph Houghton said: "If I was a Newcastle fan, I would be worried at this moment in time."

So how do you feel about Newcastle's summer so far? Is the number of targets going elsewhere a concern? Can the club still make this transfer window a success?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Increasingly I feel like we, as Newcastle fans, are not allowed nice things. Ten days ago I wrote about how excited I was about having two class players (Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike) playing up top.

Ten days might as well be a lifetime when the transfer window is open. Ekitike went to Liverpool and then news broke on Thursday that Alexander Isak would like to explore a move elsewhere.

This is bad news. Newcastle do not have a back-up striker. Isak was our top goalscorer last season, and that was playing through slight injury.

At the start of the window it seemed so exciting that we might get new players to help unlock Isak's potential. Now we might start the season without a striker.

Make no mistake: losing Isak without a replacement ready would be catastrophic for Newcastle United. The club is now exploring a move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, but I don't think it is controversial to say it is going to be very difficult to progress in the Champions League without a striker in the squad.

If we allow Isak to move on, and we get an astronomical fee for him, we need to reinvest immediately.

I would prefer we do this business sooner rather than later. If the player is unhappy and wants to move on, then we should make a decision and stick to it - and if the decision is to sell then we need to spend the money almost the instant it comes in.

On the other hand, if we are going to keep Isak, the club needs to do some work to make sure he is happy here. We need to give him more money, and we need to bring in other players to support him.

As a fan, my main ask is that we end all this speculation and get back to focusing on the upcoming season.

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

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Alexander Isak's Newcastle team-mates Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes have expressed how they want the striker to remain at the club after he did not travel with the Magpies for their pre-season tour of Asia.

The reason given by the club was a "minor thigh injury" but the 25-year-old wants to explore a move away from St James' Park this summer.

"If we lost any player it would upset a tight-knit group that's been together for two or three years now," Burn told Sky Sports.

"Obviously any player that leaves, it doesn't help, but from our point of view [we have to] just control what we can control.

"At the moment, we're looking forward to getting Alex back when he's fit."

"We want to keep our best players," added Guimaraes. "[Isak] is not here because he's in treatment in Newcastle.

"He is a top striker, his [record over the] past three seasons speaks for itself- he's a top player. But as far as I know he just stayed there because of his injury, his treatment with the club."

Newcastle's record goalscorer Alan Shearer believes Isak's exit would be a "blow" for the Magpies but also that if the writing is on the wall then a deal should be reached and the club should "move on".

It comes after Shearer described the club's assertion that Isak did not travel on the pre-season tour due to injury as "ridiculous".

"It will be hugely damaging for Newcastle to lose Isak," he added.

"Ultimately, if they can't persuade him to stay for at least one more season then you have to get the best deal for Newcastle and that's towards £150m.

"No player is bigger than the club and it would be a blow, but if you have to take the money and rebuild then that's what you have to do. Say thanks for helping us win the Carabao Cup but off you go and we move on."

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Alexander Isak has become integral to Newcastle's recent success since joining the club from Real Sociedad in August 2022, scoring an impressive 62 goals in 109 appearances at an average of a one every 1.76 games.

Isak has netted 44 league goals across the past two seasons – 21 in 2023-24 and 23 last term – and with those numbers he has been rubbing shoulders with Europe's very best marksmen over the same time period (as shown in the below graphic).

The Sweden international also outperformed his xG by 3.3 during this spell, with his 44 strikes coming from an expected goals of 40.7.

His future with the Magpies remains uncertain after missing their pre-season tour of Asia as he looks to explore his options for a move away from Newcastle.

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle commentator

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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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