Their star striker wants a transfer. Not for the first time in living memory, Newcastle the club is holding back Newcastle the team

Newcastle United enjoyed a historic 2024/25 campaign, winning the EFL Cup and finishing fifth in the Premier League, to qualify for the Champions League. It remains to be seen what business the club will do before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has told the club he wants to explore his options this summer, putting it in a very tough situation.

Newcastle United insist that Alexander Isak has been left out of their squad for the tour of Asia due to a ‘minor injury’, sources have told Graeme Bailey, chief correspondent at TBR Football. The Magpies believe that, whilst the thigh injury he is carrying is only slight, avoiding extensive travel would be the best option for their star player.

Many theories have been forthcoming about Newcastle United's snail-like progress in the transfer market with their ambitious targets being repeatedly highjacked by the supposed elite. One of the most persuasive is that United are fishing in a much bigger pool these days chasing established stars and therefore forced to compete against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea who have the lure of recent European and Premier League achievements plus city location on their side.

Newcastle are set to rival Manchester United for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer. Newcastle’s preparations for the new season have been rocked with Alexander Isak informing the club of his desire to explore a move away amid links to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Late Thursday afternoon has seen Sky Sports report that their information is that Newcastle United are working on a contingency plan of bringing in Benjamin Sesko. This if of course a contingency plan, if….Alexander Isak ends up leaving St James’ Park.

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm that Newcastle United are currently assessing Giorgio Scalvini’s injury record before making their move to sign the defender. The 21-year-old suffered an ACL injury back in June 2024, which sidelined him for over five months, and he missed a further 25 matches during the 2024/25 season.

Newcastle United legend Nolberto Solano has been appointed as head coach of Pakistan's senior and under-23 teams

Following Callum Wilson’s exit and the failure to sign Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have been left alarmingly short up top. Remove Isak and they appear toothless, which is unnerving given his durability will be tested across 2025-26 with the additional demands of Champions League football.

The moment Newcastle United have feared was coming since the early spring has finally arrived with Alexander Isak. How they respond will define what sort of club they want to be under the Saudi Arabian owners.