Alexander Isak CLOSER to Liverpool as Newcastle career turns toxic
They had 16 shots and only three on target - dominating Villa on the xG metric with 14.7 to only 0.13. There is no doubt that the enforced exclusion of Liverpool target Alexander Isak had plenty to do with their lack of firepower on the day.
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Isak, 25, is effectively on strike in the hope of pushing through a move to Anfield before the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
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Newcastle knocked back Liverpool's opening bids for the Swede - but after a TOXIC outing perhaps the club will see sense and accept the next one.
Isak out of the Newcastle squad
Isak doesn't want to play for the Geordies any longer - and if the conduct of the club's fans is anything to go by they they don't want the No14 back either.
The logical outcome from here is a quick sale to Liverpool in order for both clubs - and Isak himself - to move swiftly on.
Newcastle value their star attraction at around £150m but a deal could be possible at £135m. It remains to be seen what Liverpool come back with but Eddie Howe will have learned on Saturday that there's no way it can continue like this.
Eddie Howe wants resolution
'The door is well and truly open. He has to decide what he wants to do. I would like a resolution,' the Newcastle boss said after the game. His side had been hopeful of wrapping up a deal for an Isak replacement BEFORE the player transferred out of the club.
That makes sense; once selling clubs understand their desperation, then the price gets jacked up accordingly. But Newcastle may have no choice but to offload Isak and then go on the hunt for another target.
They have already missed out on Joao Pedro - as well as Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko. All have moved elsewhere with Ekitike opening his Liverpool account in the 4-2 win against Bournemouth on Friday night.
© IMAGO
Let's wrap up Isak deal
Newcastle instead toiled with Anthony Gordon up top rather than on his more effective left-wing station while William Osula was a late substitute. But now we move closer to the end game.
Newcastle's fans have made it clear what they think of their EFL Cup-winning hero right now and Howe had admitted it's time for a decision to be made.
They need Alexander Isak sold so they can move on with their season with another player at No9. Otherwise their ambitions for the campaign ahead will unravel.
And that means the vacancy left up top at Anfield by Darwin Nunez will soon be taken by a new British record transfer in the shape of Isak.
These next few days promise to be crucial.
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