Today, August 9, is a happy day for Manchester United and it's supporters as the club managed to finally sign a striker target in the form of Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian forward had a bigger offer from Newcastle United but his affinity for the Red Devils meant that he decided to head to Old Trafford. While this move has boosted Manchester United's squad strength, it has dealt a hammer blow to the Magpies.
Newcastle United were hell-bent on buying a top striker so that they could let their star striker Alexander Isak leave as is his wish right now. It would have then meant a potential move to Liverpool with the Premier League champions having sent a bid of £110m last week, only for Newcastle to turn the offer down. Perhaps, at that stage itself, the club knew that they may not be able to land the Sesko deal. With their bid rejected and Newcastle's stance rigid, Liverpool are unlikely to place a fresh bid in this transfer window. Unless Newcastle make a u-turn on their stance and decide to put Isak up for sale.
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle have already informed Isak that he is 'going nowhere', indicating a statement of stubborness that has stemmed from their Saud Arabia-based owners. In fact, the club had always maintained that Isak wasn't for sale but that was also due to the fact that the Swedish striker himself hadn't admitted to any desire of leaving the club. However, once Liverpool started to connect for a possible transfer, Isak felt the urge to make a move, which in turn forced Newcastle to hunt for an able replacement. Unfortunately for the club, they couldn't land any of their high-profile targets. Former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike was a potential target but Liverpool edged Newcastle in this race as the Reds got themselves a back-up option, knowing fully well about Isak's uncertainty.
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Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe, meanwhile, has made it clear that he cannot get Isak into the match day squad unless the striker states clearly that he is happy to continue at the club. As things stand, the Swedish attacker is unlikely to start for Newcastle's opening game of the 2025-26 English Premier League season. Isak has also started to allegedly get mixed reactions within the players camp with some players reportedly unhappy with his presence at training, forcing the management to allot a different time slot for him to practice.
Amidst all this, the challenge of a new season looms large and Howe is understandably pensive about the situation.
"We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group," he said after Newcastle's 2-2 draw in a friendly against Espanyol. "I don't know how long that will be for, but that's the latest."
"I'd want Alex to be playing today," Howe added just eight days before the season opener at Aston Villa. "I'd want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us.
"Let me make that absolutely clear. There's no part of me that doesn't want that outcome, but I don't see the current situation changing for Aston Villa."
