Alexander Isak is not part of Newcastle's squad to face Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the Premier League season as an increasingly ugly transfer saga rumbles on
Alexander Isak has been confirmed absent from Newcastle United’s squad to face Aston Villa at lunchtime as the summer’s biggest transfer saga enters a new and ugly chapter with the centre-forward now set to be fined.
Sweden striker Isak is refusing to play for the Toon as he attempts to force a move out of St James’ Park and towards reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds have had one bid for Isak rejected and it remains unclear whether they will return with an improved offer before the deadline at 7pm on September 1.
But that has not stopped Isak from digging his heels in as he attempts to extract himself from a club where he was previously on the cusp of hero status.
He has three years remaining on his contract and has continued to receive his £140,000 per week salary despite not even training with his team-mates in recent weeks. Isak continues to work alone at the club's training ground and has even moved out of his residence on Tyneside.
Anthony Gordon will instead lead the line for Newcastle, while Anthony Elanga makes his debut after a £55m move from Nottingham Forest and other new arrivals Malik Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale sit on the bench.
Villa, meanwhile, have named Marco Bizot, a summer signing from Brest, in goal with Emi Martinez serving a one-match ban as new striker Evann Guessand, a £26m arrival from Rennes, starts on the bench.
But Isak's non-involvement at Villa Park is set to land him a fine, according to reports, with Eddie Howe yesterday admitting that the standoff has disrupted the harmony in his squad during pre-season.
"I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season," he said ahead of the trip to Villa. "There was nothing I could do to affect that — it was always going to be there.
"When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react.
"But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought.
"Whatever situation you're in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I've got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."
Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Buendia, Malen, Jimoh-Alboba, Iling-Junior, Guessand, Wright
Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Barnes, Gordon, Elanga.
Subs: Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Seung-soo, Miley, Ramsdale
Rehaknsty
1
eeeh people leave Isak alone he knows what he wants.. you can't finish your career without winning any major title for sure
Zezesol400
0
The situation is unfortunate for both sides but new castle is wrong for strong arming a player who wants to leave it’s not fair to drag a player through the mud and make him the bad guy just because you don’t want him to leave. It’s not fair that these clubs hold back players that want to move on.
But he's having a contract,things in contractual bussiness doesn't work like that
akain
0
If a player whose contact is about to end refuses to sign a new one what does that mean?? or do u want another interpretation for that
Does that mean Liverpool refusing to let him go, he refused to sign because he wanted more and both sides couldn't reach an agreement until later. Isak's situation has no correlation with Arnold's. You can compare his situation with that of Coutinho and Liverpool never forced him against his wish
6TBASH✅
0
Howe to me is the most unique Coach I've ever seen. The man is professionally handling the situation 👌
6TBASH✅
0
If i were Newcastle, this boy will never wear my colours again and I will forever block his move to a bigger club✅
29Kumarr
0
If Arnold had declared his intention to leave Liverpool, Liverpool would have sold him even before his contract expires. Isak case is different, you can't force a player to stay when their heart is somewhere else, Coutinho, Suarez, Owen, Sterling were all allowed to leave Liverpool and Liverpool is still there today strong and ready to ball.
If a player whose contact is about to end refuses to sign a new one what does that mean?? or do u want another interpretation for that
winbins
0
Head coach Eddie Howe told isak he is not part of the team…so how he refuse to play 🤡
saifulbahrie
1
Newcastle should let him go.. no point to confront and keep player who not loyal to the club..
Fakbeopy
1
The situation is unfortunate for both sides but new castle is wrong for strong arming a player who wants to leave it’s not fair to drag a player through the mud and make him the bad guy just because you don’t want him to leave. It’s not fair that these clubs hold back players that want to move on.
Widbiltz
0
If Arnold had declared his intention to leave Liverpool, Liverpool would have sold him even before his contract expires. Isak case is different, you can't force a player to stay when their heart is somewhere else, Coutinho, Suarez, Owen, Sterling were all allowed to leave Liverpool and Liverpool is still there today strong and ready to ball.
thank you for finishing that useless nigha
W0linhO
0
Ungrateful club, I hope you get relegated
bamadiloty
2
No Isak no goals, can’t even beat a 10 man Aston Villa
Faocdmoty
0
Good
winabcekls
0
Why are Liverpool interested in a player with zero loyalty.
Maubcptuyz
0
He must be fined stupid player,pple who don’t appreciate goodness!
We don’t want such talent,even if it’s good talent it needs good behavior,buy him since you the reason his disrespecting his club
sudalmntuz
0
He must be fined stupid player,pple who don’t appreciate goodness!
man united fan so selfish.so if it is man united that is wanting to buy him isak over , will you utter same nonsense.they bought him not academy
kaoaenory
0
dutty New Castle leggo di balla
bohdeiklsu
1
in as much as Newcastle want this guy he's heart will never be with them... how I wish they could make a fair judgement that's going to benefit both of them otherwise we are tired of hearing the same thing over and over 🤦
akain
0
I think you are even more stupid here. Why Liverpool never let Arnold leave that time Madrid wanted to buy him?? You refused to sell him and even when his contact ended you didn't want him to leave😂😂 and you are here saying trash against other clubs
If Arnold had declared his intention to leave Liverpool, Liverpool would have sold him even before his contract expires. Isak case is different, you can't force a player to stay when their heart is somewhere else, Coutinho, Suarez, Owen, Sterling were all allowed to leave Liverpool and Liverpool is still there today strong and ready to ball.
Maubcptuyz
0
He must be fined stupid player,pple who don’t appreciate goodness!
bupaekmsy
1
the guy leave for 120m..but Newcastle can't find a striker...wat a shame
Kiaadekpz
0
Newcastle are foolish and stupid. They could have sold Isak used the money to build a better team just like Liverpool did when they sold Coutinho
why were you crying for 66🤣🤣🤣
akintayoibraheem
1
leave this man go please
Kiaadekpz
1
Punish that madaf*ka he thinks the salary is for nothing?? eh??
Widbiltz
0
I think you are even more stupid here. Why Liverpool never let Arnold leave that time Madrid wanted to buy him?? You refused to sell him and even when his contact ended you didn't want him to leave😂😂 and you are here saying trash against other clubs
hear yourself mad man. you're as stupid and useless like your real Madrid ceo.your team shall suffer more than Manchester United. your family shall suffer
Waockmorsu
0
first finish his contract and go no problem
29Kumarr
0
Newcastle are foolish and stupid. They could have sold Isak used the money to build a better team just like Liverpool did when they sold Coutinho
I think you are even more stupid here. Why Liverpool never let Arnold leave that time Madrid wanted to buy him?? You refused to sell him and even when his contact ended you didn't want him to leave😂😂 and you are here saying trash against other clubs
thisishayzed
0
No isak Una see your life can't score a single goal
very poor
kiodklnr
2
Allow the player to go where he wants to
CallMeDaddyyo
3
No isak Una see your life can't score a single goal
Widbiltz
0
Very stupid club
I swear
jiobdmpru
1
Newcastle are foolish and stupid. They could have sold Isak used the money to build a better team just like Liverpool did when they sold Coutinho
Very stupid club
yiebdlnrtu
3
yes... punish him..no one is bigger than the club...
nuhaikmp
5
if they want to punish him they should punish him nonsense statement so Newcastle make us believe that if there is no isak there is no Newcastle this team is downgrading them self,,,😂,,,if isak don't perform well at his formal club are they going to buy him,, leave the boy let him leave
Lipaelnpsz
1
Every day only Isak news morning Isak news evening Isak news why Liverpool want him and not buy him
Widbiltz
6
Newcastle are foolish and stupid. They could have sold Isak used the money to build a better team just like Liverpool did when they sold Coutinho