The two chants Newcastle fans now heard singing about Alexander Isak against Aston Villa

The chorus of disapproval ringing through Villa Park’s away end told its own story – Newcastle United’s traveling supporters have reached their verdict on Alexander Isak’s transfer standoff.

As the Magpies battled to a frustrating goalless draw against ten-man Aston Villa, the absence of their star striker loomed large, with the fanbase channeling their frustration into two cutting chants that laid bare the fractured relationship between player and club.

The first barbed refrain – “There’s only one greedy b” – echoed around the stadium as players acknowledged the supporters post-match, its timing and venom leaving little doubt about the intended target.

This was followed by an even more damning indictment: “We don’t care about Isak, he don’t care about me, all we care about is NUFC.” The lyrics, adapted from a popular terrace chant, represent more than momentary frustration; they signal a fundamental breakdown in trust that may prove irreversible.

On the pitch, Newcastle’s attacking shortcomings without their Swedish talisman were painfully apparent.

Anthony Gordon worked tirelessly as the makeshift center-forward but lacked the clinical edge Isak typically provides, while debutant Anthony Elanga squandered a golden first-half opportunity that underlined why Eddie Howe’s side currently sit sixth in the Premier League for big chances missed.

The irony wasn’t lost on the 3,000-strong Geordie contingent – their most potent goalscorer sat at home while the team toiled without cutting edge against ten men for nearly half an hour.

The chants represent more than fan frustration; they’re a strategic play in the high-stakes transfer poker game between Newcastle and Liverpool.

By publicly withdrawing their support, the Toon Army have effectively called Isak’s bluff – making clear that neither his goalscoring record nor transfer ambitions will earn him special treatment from a fanbase that values commitment above all else.

This emotional severing of ties strengthens Newcastle’s negotiating position, demonstrating to potential suitors that the club won’t be held hostage by player power.

Behind the scenes, the situation remains tense. Isak’s camp maintains he’ll never play for Newcastle again, while the club’s Saudi-backed ownership has drawn a hard line – £150 million or no deal.

Liverpool’s initial £110 million bid fell significantly short of this valuation, and there’s growing skepticism at St James’ Park about whether the Reds will meet their asking price.

As the standoff enters its third week, Newcastle’s hierarchy appears increasingly comfortable with the prospect of keeping an unhappy player rather than being bullied into a sale.

The human dimension of this saga shouldn’t be overlooked. Isak, watching from afar, now faces an existential career dilemma.

Does he continue his self-imposed exile, risking becoming a £60 million benchwarmer? Or does he attempt to rebuild burnt bridges with a fanbase that once adored him? For a player who struck up such a visceral connection with the Gallowgate End, the personal toll of this rupture shouldn’t be underestimated.

Monday night’s showdown with Liverpool at St James’ Park now looms as a potential flashpoint. Should Isak remain a Newcastle player by then, the atmosphere promises to be electric – not just toward the visiting Merseysiders, but toward their own number 14 if he continues his strike.

The club’s decision to include his locker in the dressing room while excluding him from matchday operations speaks volumes about their stance: he’s welcome back, but only on their terms.

As the transfer window’s final fortnight approaches, this saga has evolved beyond mere contract disputes and transfer fees. It’s become a litmus test for Newcastle’s new era – a demonstration that no player, no matter how talented, is bigger than the club.

The chants at Villa Park didn’t just voice displeasure; they drew a line in the sand. The message to Isak is clear: repent or remain exiled, but don’t expect sympathy from the Toon faithful.

For Liverpool, the fan reaction provides both opportunity and warning. While it suggests Isak’s relationship with Newcastle may be beyond repair, it also demonstrates the Geordies’ willingness to turn on their own when principles are at stake – a cultural nuance that should give Jurgen Klopp pause before testing their resolve further.

In the high-stakes world of modern football transfers, sometimes the most telling negotiations happen not in boardrooms, but in the stands.