August 16, (THEWILL) — Newcastle United’s troubled start to the 2025/2026 season deepened following their goalless draw against Aston Villa, with Alexander Isak’s prolonged absence casting a shadow over St. James’ Park. The Swedish striker remains excluded from Eddie Howe’s squad amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool, who are reportedly preparing a second formal offer. Isak has not featured since being omitted from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia, with sources suggesting the 25-year-old has informed club officials he will not represent the Magpies again.
Manager Eddie Howe cut a frustrated figure during Saturday’s post-match media duties, acknowledging the disruptive nature of the transfer speculation surrounding his star forward. The Newcastle boss repeatedly called for swift resolution to the matter, emphasising how the uncertainty has become a constant distraction for the club. Howe maintained that Isak remains welcome in his squad but stressed that only the player himself can end the impasse by clarifying his intentions.
Newcastle’s attacking limitations were painfully evident against Villa, despite enjoying numerical advantage for over 20 minutes after the visitors’ red card. The Magpies managed 16 attempts on goal compared to Villa’s three but could only test debutant goalkeeper, Marco Bizot, on three occasions. Without a recognised striker in their lineup, Newcastle struggled to convert territorial dominance into meaningful scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
The club’s travelling supporters made their feelings known regarding Isak’s situation, directing pointed chants towards the absent forward during the second half. A significant portion of the away end could be heard singing derogatory songs about the striker, reflecting growing frustration among the fanbase over his handling of the transfer saga. Howe diplomatically defended the supporters’ right to voice their opinions while praising their backing of the team during the match.
Liverpool’s interest in Isak continues to intensify as they seek attacking reinforcements following their own summer transfer activity. The Merseyside club are understood to be monitoring developments closely, with reports suggesting they view the Swedish international as their primary target before the transfer window closes. Newcastle face the prospect of losing their leading scorer from last season, potentially weakening their prospects for the new campaign if suitable replacement options cannot be identified quickly.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
