Newcastle now hand Alexander Isak ultimatum as club take significant step forward

The standoff between Newcastle United and star striker Alexander Isak has reached a critical juncture, with the club issuing an ultimatum to both the player and potential suitors as their Premier League campaign approaches.

The Swedish international remains in professional purgatory, training alone at the club’s Benton base while Eddie Howe prepares his squad for Saturday’s opener at Aston Villa without last season’s 27-goal talisman.

Newcastle’s hierarchy have drawn a clear line in the sand: without a substantially improved offer from Liverpool or other interested parties, Isak won’t be granted his desired exit.

The Reds’ £110 million bid earlier this month failed to meet the Magpies’ valuation, with sources suggesting it will take at least £130 million plus performance-related add-ons to initiate serious negotiations.

This firm stance comes as the club accelerates contingency plans, with Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis emerging as the latest name on a growing shortlist of potential replacements.

The situation has created palpable tension at the training ground. Howe admitted the disruption has tested squad harmony, telling reporters: “When you have a player in this situation, it’s naturally unsettling.

The togetherness of this group has always been our strength, so this has been an unwanted distraction.” Despite these challenges, the manager praised his players’ professionalism, noting training standards haven’t dipped despite the elephant in the room.

Isak’s absence extends beyond the pitch, impacting commercial operations as well. Club shop staff have removed his imagery from displays, while Adidas representatives in South Korea reported plummeting sales of his numbered shirts following his conspicuous absence from the preseason tour.

Just months after starring in the club’s third kit launch alongside Tino Asprilla, the striker’s relationship with supporters appears irreparably damaged.

On the field, Howe faces tactical headaches. Anthony Gordon’s hardworking but goalless showing against Atletico Madrid highlighted the attacking void, while Joelinton’s wayward finishing in preseason suggests he isn’t the answer despite his history as a center-forward.

When quizzed about converting the Brazilian back to a number nine role, Howe dismissed the idea with nervous laughter before reiterating the need for reinforcements.

The clock ticks louder with each passing day. Newcastle’s transfer team work feverishly to secure alternatives, knowing any deal for Isak’s replacement would need to be finalized before considering his departure.

Pavlidis’ 34-goal campaign for Benfica makes him an intriguing option, though the Greek international would represent a calculated gamble rather than a like-for-like replacement.

As Villa Park beckons, Newcastle find themselves in an unenviable position – preparing for a crucial opener without their most potent weapon, yet unable to reinvest until his future is resolved.

Howe’s terse assessment – “I don’t see the situation changing before Aston Villa” – underscores the grim reality. Whether this stalemate breaks before the September 1 deadline may depend on which side blinks first: Liverpool with an improved bid, Isak with a change of heart, or Newcastle by lowering their demands.

For now, the Magpies march forward, their Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance of this high-stakes transfer poker game.