This is the reason Newcastle is having a terrible transfer window

Club continues to miss out on players because they cannot compete with the top sides’ revenues, but they will not be intimidated over Alexander Isak.

There is no point in pretending differently; no amount of spin will convert this into a positive for Newcastle United. They had a poor summer, and nobody at the club will try to say otherwise.

They attempted and failed to sign at least five of their key targets. They were snubbed. It’s the bitter sting of rejection. A readjustment in recruitment is required.

Newcastle attempted to sign Bryan Mbeumo (now at Manchester United), Liam Delap (now at Chelsea), João Pedro (now at Chelsea), and Hugo Ekitike (potential Liverpool signing). They also had a brief interest in Matheus Cunha (who went to Manchester United) and Dean Huijsen (who signed with Real Madrid) before quickly moving on.

They are also in danger of losing out to Manchester City in their bid to sign goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley. The player had wanted to join Newcastle for over a year. Newcastle had a £20 million contract in place to recruit the England Under-21 international, but the plug was pulled shortly after Paul Mitchell was appointed sporting director a year ago.

The club was willing to increase the offer to £25 million during this window, but Burnley has been holding out for £40 million since their return to the Premier League.

Negotiations came to a halt, and now Manchester City, who negotiated a 20% sell-on clause when selling him to Burnley in 2023, have expressed interest in the 22-year-old. It appears like Newcastle may miss out on another big target.

Newcastle look as though they will miss out on another player in James Trafford, with Man City having moved for the Burnley goalkeeper  Credit: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse

The reality is that Newcastle is looking for top-tier players in order to establish a championship-caliber team. That sounds good in principle, but in practice, they fail wherever there is competition. The pool of elite players is small. Everyone is seeking for the same things, but other teams can give more money, their name is more prestigious, and they have a legacy. They also have the allure of London and Manchester.

When wealthy clubs, such as Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, and even Chelsea, overthrew the old order, they shook things up and turned heads with the pound sterling. Newcastle has the world’s richest owners, Saudi Arabia’s PIF, but the financial laws were amended specifically to prevent Newcastle from doing the same.

These are longstanding difficulties. We’ve covered this subject previously, but this summer has emphasized the issues once more.

When Newcastle wanted to reduce the gap on the “Big Six,” they signed up-and-coming players who could develop alongside them. They spotted prospective talents, including Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães, before larger clubs were ready to take a chance.

Their needs have changed. They have closed the distance, but remaining there presents a different set of challenges. They wanted “plug-in-and-play” recruits who could have an immediate impact in the Champions League and Premier League. That is the level they have reached as a result of their on-field performance, but given their numerous failures in this window, they may have to revert to their previous position.

Unfortunately, Newcastle are the least financially and prestigiously successful of the top-tier clubs. Everything that has happened in recent weeks has reaffirmed this.

Bryan Mbeumo prefers a move to Manchester United over Newcastle Credit: PA/Rhianna Chadwick

Since manager Eddie Howe stated in May that they needed to be dynamic and act quickly in the market, we’ve seen a conflict of expectation and reality. A club with lofty goals has been forced to admit that they are not performing at the same level as the teams they strive to compete with each season.

Newcastle now has the eighth-largest salary expenditure in English football, and this will almost definitely not alter this year. The harsh reality is that it may never do so.

They may edge ahead of Aston Villa, just as they did in the league table last season, but the gap between themselves and the Big Six remains wide, as do the cash streams.

Newcastle may have had their most successful time in over two decades, qualifying for the Champions League twice and won their first domestic championship in 70 years, but they have outperformed expectations and confounded projections.

In short, they have far exceeded expectations. Nobody expected them to qualify for the Champions League and win a title 12 months ago, when a second transfer window went by without a first-team signing, yet they did it.

It was a success against the odds, but you can’t keep performing miracles. Everyone at the club recognized this when the shortlists were created in the spring.

Newcastle exceeded expectations by winning the League Cup but the feeling is they over-achieved last season Credit: Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

This summer provided an opportunity to assemble a larger squad with greater depth and upgrades in key spots. After removing PSR limitations, this transfer window was expected to be revolutionary.

Instead, Newcastle has reached a ceiling that they are battling to break past. They improved after signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, capping a three-year hunt for a right-sided forward. But they still have a lot to do.

More players will arrive before the deadline, but there is an internal desire to avoid panic. As frustrating and disappointing as recruitment has been thus far, the worst thing they can do is sign someone just to quiet the clamour for new faces that always arises around this time of year.

In response, Newcastle has refused to be bullied. With Liverpool and others circling Isak, the pressure on them has been increasing. Of course, the player has been concerned. It’s impossible not to be. Amanda Staveley, Isak’s former co-owner, guaranteed him a new contract in 2024. Mitchell, who departed the club last month, chose not to start those negotiations because Isak still had more than three years on his current contract and the club’s PSR position made it impossible.

This resulted in acrimony, and the player’s agent felt offended. Everything that has happened since can be traced back to that moment.

But Newcastle has remained steadfast. They declare from the top, including chairman Yasir Al-Rumayaan and co-owner Jamie Reuben, that Isak will not be sold at any price this summer. For the time being, they will let the noise and diversions subside. They understand how tough it has been for both him and them to deal with constant speculation about his future. However, once the dust settles, they will offer him a new contract that would make him the club’s biggest earner.

Newcastle hope to tie Alexander Isak down to a lucrative contract despite unsettling interest from other clubs Credit: Getty Images/Serena Taylor

A mess was produced, which still needs to be cleaned up. It is a challenging task, especially because there is no sporting director and the chief executive, Darren Eales, is serving his notice. Running a football club without a proper executive team is not the way to go, especially for one that aspires to be “number one” according to its chairman.

However, despite the disappointments in terms of bringing players in this summer to improve the squad, Newcastle could not afford to become weaker.

When their finest players have three years left on their contract, ambitious teams do not transfer them to a direct competitor for significantly less than their market value.

Newcastle remains ambitious, even if they do not yet have everything in place to reach their ambitions.

Isak is just too talented and important to how they play to lose him. Struggling to sign players is one thing, but selling the world-class ones would be even worse. That is at least acknowledged during a difficult time.

Newcastle has ‘sent home’ Alexander Isak, according to a transfer update, following Liverpool’s interest

Alexander Isak has become the centre of renewed transfer speculation after being sent home from Newcastle United’s pre-season training camp. The decision has raised eyebrows and added fuel to reports linking the striker with a possible move, particularly with Liverpool said to be monitoring his situation closely.

The Swedish forward was a notable absentee from a key training session, with club officials later confirming he had been sent home for reasons described as “precautionary.” While Newcastle were quick to downplay the development, it has inevitably led to a wave of speculation about his future.

Isak has been one of the most impressive performers for Newcastle since joining the club. His intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and ability to stretch defences have made him a pivotal figure in Eddie Howe’s system. As a result, any suggestion that he could be on the move naturally causes alarm.

Liverpool, long admirers of the Swedish international, have been linked with a big-money move as they look to refresh their attacking line. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of several key players, Isak’s name has repeatedly surfaced as a potential summer target.

Sources close to the Newcastle camp suggest the decision to send Isak home was based on a minor fitness concern. However, with transfer season in full swing, the timing has sparked theories that more may be going on behind the scenes.

Some insiders suggest that the striker himself has grown unsettled by the continued links to top clubs. Though committed to Newcastle’s project, the idea of playing at an established Champions League contender like Liverpool could be enticing for a player in his prime.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has remained tight-lipped on the issue. When questioned about Isak’s absence, he simply reiterated that it was a non-serious issue and that the player is expected to rejoin the squad shortly. Still, the manager’s words did little to quell the media frenzy.

Newcastle fans, already frustrated by the slow pace of incoming transfers this summer, are watching the situation closely. Isak has become a fan favourite not just for his goals, but for his attitude and leadership on the pitch.

The club’s stance on Isak remains firm: he is not for sale. But in the current transfer climate, especially with big-name suitors circling, no club can afford to completely rule out any scenario. Every player has a price, and Liverpool are known to act quickly when the right opportunity arises.

There is also the question of whether Newcastle can afford to turn down a massive offer if one is made. With financial regulations to consider and ambitions to strengthen other areas of the squad, a significant fee for Isak could unlock several moves elsewhere.

For now, the striker’s absence from the team setup remains officially unrelated to any transfer talks. Yet, with each passing day, more questions are being asked — particularly as Liverpool continue to quietly assess their options in the forward department.

Reports suggest that scouts from Merseyside were present at several of Isak’s matches last season and have compiled a glowing report on his suitability for Jurgen Klopp’s system. His versatility and technical quality make him an attractive fit.

There are, however, complications. Isak’s contract at Newcastle runs long, and the club retains control over his future. They would only consider letting him go for a record-breaking sum, one that reflects both his quality and his importance to the team.

Meanwhile, Isak has remained silent on the matter. His social media activity has been minimal, and he has made no public statements. Those close to him say he remains focused and professional, though the speculation is beginning to weigh on him.

Newcastle are expected to issue a formal update on Isak’s condition within days. If the club is hoping to avoid a media circus, a clear and transparent communication may help quiet the noise. Until then, rumours will continue to swirl.

Liverpool, on their part, have not made any official approach. However, with their reputation for strategic signings, few would be surprised if they made a late move should the opportunity arise.

As the pre-season progresses, so too does the pressure on Newcastle to make key decisions. Whether to keep hold of their talisman or cash in for reinvestment will shape their trajectory for the season ahead.

Ultimately, the saga reflects the precarious nature of modern football. A player like Isak, who becomes central to a team’s identity, can just as quickly become the focal point of an unexpected transfer drama.

While Newcastle hope this is a brief storm in an otherwise calm window, Liverpool’s lurking interest ensures this story is far from over. The next few weeks may determine whether Isak remains the face of Newcastle’s future — or the centrepiece of another club’s new era.