Newcastle United | 2025/26 Season

[Geordie Ahmed]

Not sure how active it will be but thought it best to create the thread for the new upcoming season

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

@IAJ

You asked the following in last seasons thread

"This is strange stuff by Isak, of course there could be factors behind the scenes we don’t know about, but a move away from Newcastle now doesn’t seem right. He is popular there, club is moving in right direction with CL next season also right? and he is still learning, so would like to see him there for another 2-3 seasons. @Geordie Ahmed"

He's 25 so the timing kind of makes sense and I can understand him wanting to win things now and also to be paid what the going rate is for players of his level, when bang average like Havertz is earning more than him something feels off

However, having said that I am surprised how he has gone about it, that I did not expect from him. I get the ambition but there is a proper way of doing things and effectively downing tools is not that

He signed a 6 year contract, a lot of people thought we overpaid and that it was a risk, if he had gotten injured or not performed would he have dropped his salary? Or would he rightly have expected the club to honour it? Therefore he needs to do the same

I do hope the club take a steadfast approach, there is no agreement to allow him to leave and it's already proven to be a challenging summer transfers wise so we absolutely have to drive a hard bargain when it comes to the price. For me £120m is not it, I'd want it to be around the £150m mark, if no club can't pay it then we don't budge.

Although knowing what Howe is like I think he'd want the club to make the move happen, he doesn't strike me as wanting to keep players around that don't fully buy into the team, so if I had to call it now I think he ends up at Liverpool for around the £120m mark

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Not sure how active it will be but thought it best to create the thread for the new upcoming season

What would success look like for you in this upcoming season? I've kept my eyes on the team a little bit due to some friends who were Newcastle fans during the more difficult era. As an outsider, I think a top 6 finish with no cups could still be seen as a success in the grand scheme of the overall project. Obviously the aim should always be higher but if at the end of the season thats how Newcastle finish I think it will be a decent return. What are your expectations as a lifelong fan?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

What would success look like for you in this upcoming season? I've kept my eyes on the team a little bit due to some friends who were Newcastle fans during the more difficult era. As an outsider, I think a top 6 finish with no cups could still be seen as a success in the grand scheme of the overall project. Obviously the aim should always be higher but if at the end of the season thats how Newcastle finish I think it will be a decent return. What are your expectations as a lifelong fan?

Well, as things stand top 6 would be quite a remarkable season

I say that because our summer transfer window is shockingly bad so far, we've only made the 1 signing and have been struggling to sign others, plus Isak is wanting to leave

From our squad we have lost 4 players (Miggy, Kelly, Wilson and Longstaff) and only Elanga has come in so we are 3 players short

And that is 3 players short of parity, considering we have CL football this season and our squad last season lacked the necessary depth then we probably need at least 5 to get us into a half decent position, make that 6 once Isak leaves

It's take us over a month just to sign 1 player, there's no way we are signing 6 in the remaining 4 weeks or so

This was meant to be a transformative summer in a positive way but so far it's been shockingly bad

So if we can come out of this season with Europa League then I'd actually be happy about that

 

[Mamoon]

This window should serve as a lesson for Newcastle. They overestimated their current status and the trajectory in which they are going.

They should have seen the Isak situation coming. There is no way a world class striker in the prime of his career would want to stay at a club that is not even in contention to win the league or the UCL. It’s not one of the objectives of the club for this season.

Selling Isak and reinvesting the money to bolster the squad should have been their main goal in this window and they should have sold him by mid July, allowing themselves ample time to replace him properly, either buy signing a striker or by signing 3-4 players to bolster the squad overall, just like West Ham did with Rice.

Not only are they losing Isak with the first PL match couple of weeks away, they also allowed Liverpool to hijack the Ekitike deal who was a primary target for them.

Now when they enter the market replace Newcastle, they are going to get robbed because clubs are aware of their desperate situation.

No disrespect to Newcastle but I think their ego got the better off them and they overestimated where they are in the food chain.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Newcastle had its best season for a long time . Losing Isak , who is the best striker on current form but a top class manager they will aim to win another trophy and make it to knockout stage in CL

 

[KingKhanWC]

Acc to reports Isak will stay at Newcastle.

For Liverpool spending 150m was a bit much anyway imo.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Acc to reports Isak will stay at Newcastle.

For Liverpool spending 150m was a bit much anyway imo.

According to reports Liverpool bid £110m, which was rightly rejected

Not sure what they were hoping to achieve with such a low ball bid

I do think the club would be willing to sell but it would have to be upwards of £120m, maybe closer to £150m

I still think a deal ends up happening, once you move Nunez, Elliott on you'll use that money to up your bid, especially if we manage to sign our replacements first

 

[KingKhanWC]

According to reports Liverpool bid £110m, which was rightly rejected

Not sure what they were hoping to achieve with such a low ball bid

I do think the club would be willing to sell but it would have to be upwards of £120m, maybe closer to £150m

I still think a deal ends up happening, once you move Nunez, Elliott on you'll use that money to up your bid, especially if we manage to sign our replacements first

The player wants to leave , LFC see this as a bargaining tool to reduce price , esp with the way Isak reacted. His attitude is not conducive to the clubs momentum after a lot of hard work from new owners , world class manager , wining a major trophy. If Newcastle refuse will they get the same Isak as last year ? Liverpool are champions, they believe they already have the squad to retain the crown. Nunez could turn the switch but he’s 2nd choice. I’d rather we spend on central defenders instead of paying 150m. Tbh I’d prefer his attitude fully focused on Newcastle unless they want to sell. It’s a short career but for Liverpool professionalism should be key when pay a record price . I doubt it will go through, lfc if still interested can wait 12 months

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

The player wants to leave , LFC see this as a bargaining tool to reduce price , esp with the way Isak reacted. His attitude is not conducive to the clubs momentum after a lot of hard work from new owners , world class manager , wining a major trophy. If Newcastle refuse will they get the same Isak as last year ? Liverpool are champions, they believe they already have the squad to retain the crown. Nunez could turn the switch but he’s 2nd choice. I’d rather we spend on central defenders instead of paying 150m. Tbh I’d prefer his attitude fully focused on Newcastle unless they want to sell. It’s a short career but for Liverpool professionalism should be key when pay a record price . I doubt it will go through, lfc if still interested can wait 12 months

I get that and the feeling from a lot of Newcastle fans is that they want him gone, his actions have turned people off him, which is a shame as he was brilliant for us

However we can't allow that to then dictate the price otherwise it's a blueprint for others to follow, just down tools and you get the move you want at a low fee

I do think Liverpool up their bid but if they don't then Isak is going to have to quickly get over it, it's a World Cup year so he can't afford to play half heartedly

 

[Mamoon]

Isak is not worth the price Newcastle have put on his head, Liverpool are not very desperate to sign him but Isak is desperate to leave, and there will be no bidding war because no one is going to pay this much for him.

It is a very messy but interesting situation that could go either way.

 

[Mamoon]

According to reports Liverpool bid £110m, which was rightly rejected

Not sure what they were hoping to achieve with such a low ball bid

I do think the club would be willing to sell but it would have to be upwards of £120m, maybe closer to £150m

I still think a deal ends up happening, once you move Nunez, Elliott on you'll use that money to up your bid, especially if we manage to sign our replacements first

£110m is a fair price for an injury prone striker who has never broken the 30 goal barrier in his career.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

£110m is a fair price for an injury prone striker who has never broken the 30 goal barrier in his career.

As the selling club we get to decide what is a fair price, not Liverpool and not you

 

[aboveandbeyond]

As the selling club we get to decide what is a fair price, not Liverpool and not you

I say let him rot in reserves if you can't get a ample replacement. Newcastle gave him the platform to become the player he is. He should atleast stay for one more season and repay the die hard fans.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I get that and the feeling from a lot of Newcastle fans is that they want him gone, his actions have turned people off him, which is a shame as he was brilliant for us

However we can't allow that to then dictate the price otherwise it's a blueprint for others to follow, just down tools and you get the move you want at a low fee

I do think Liverpool up their bid but if they don't then Isak is going to have to quickly get over it, it's a World Cup year so he can't afford to play half heartedly

He signed a contract, he should respect it with 3 years to go. Look at Salah he could be the most paid footballer in football history but decided to respect his club who made him a superstar. Isak is disrespectful of his word and also to a great club who are on the incline and in the champions league. Based on last seasons form and the new format Newcastle can easily make the latter stages and win another cup . This man if he finishes his career could be the top 3 greatest player for Newcastle, a legend . He could win more with Liverpool but won’t get into top 10. Unless you accept the bid , Liverpool have moved on to prepare for the new season.

This is a huge season for all teams , Liverpool know they have the opportunity to grab 21, it what’s most valuable to the fans. No disrespect to city , Newcastle, Arsenal and the rest but being ahead of Utd and cementing greatest English club , thus imo greatest in the world is all that matters . Point is Liverpool are posturing in an aggressive manner , isak has fallen for moving whatever the cost but Newcastle and Liverpool know otherwise. I just hope he gives it 100% for you next season.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Isak is not worth the price Newcastle have put on his head, Liverpool are not very desperate to sign him but Isak is desperate to leave, and there will be no bidding war because no one is going to pay this much for him.

It is a very messy but interesting situation that could go either way.

I rarely agree with you . But it’s not messy from lfc side , we were open made a bid . Newcastle should have just boosted his wages and shown him a vision . Arsenal and Liverpool have both sold their best player, it takes time to recover if you want to be the best

 

[Mamoon]

As the selling club we get to decide what is a fair price, not Liverpool and not you

That is fine, you can ask a billion pounds for him if you wish to, but Newcastle have already shown that they are a little delusional about where they stand in today and where they are going, as reflected by the fact that they were caught off-guard by Isak asking for a transfer this summer.

Only they didn’t see it coming and were not prepared for it. Newcastle need to swallow its pride, take the money and move on with it. They can still be stronger than they were last season if they reinvest this big fee properly in the squad.

 

[Mamoon]

I rarely agree with you . But it’s not messy from lfc side , we were open made a bid . Newcastle should have just boosted his wages and shown him a vision . Arsenal and Liverpool have both sold their best player, it takes time to recover if you want to be the best

Newcastle don’t want to project the image that they want to be a selling club to superior PL clubs and I get that. This might set a wrong precedence, especially when Gordon is on Arsenal’s radar as well.

However, it is a mess they have creates for themselves because they don’t anticipate Isak handing in a transfer request this summer which was always very likely.

He is in the prime of his career, had the best season of his life, and Newcastle are still not ready to mount a title challenge. If they put their ego aside, they can reinvest the £110m offered (British record fee) and be stronger overall.

As for as Liverpool are concerned, you have to wonder if they moved on to Ekitike very quickly when Newcastle said Isak wasn’t for sale few weeks ago.

I feel that Liverpool didn’t need to sign both, and if they knew that Isak was going to hand in a transfer request, they probably wouldn’t have spent £80m on him. They should have tapped up Isak first.

There is still a very high chance this deal goes through. Isak only wants Liverpool right now and he is also desperate to leave. Newcastle are also running out of time to sell him and it is their fault.

Liverpool walking away from the deal might be a strategic move to force Newcastle to lower their demands. As things stand, Newcastle are more desperate to sell him than Liverpool are to buy him.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Isak transfer situation 'far from ideal' - Howe

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the transfer situation surrounding striker Alexander Isak is "complex" and "far from ideal".

Newcastle turned down a £110m bid from Liverpool for Isak on Friday, with the Magpies valuing him at about £150m.

The 25-year-old was left out of Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia with what the club described as a "minor" thigh issue.

The Swede has since been training alone at former club Real Sociedad - something Howe said he found out about through the media.

"I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home," Howe told a news conference, external on Saturday.

"I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation.

"I really don't know what is going to happen next but, from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."

Isak joined Newcastle in a £60m move from La Liga side Sociedad in 2022.

He was the Magpies' top scorer last season as the club won the Carabao Cup and ended their 70-year wait for domestic silverware.

Howe said he is not in direct contact with the forward, adding: "I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it's difficult for me to go into any detail.

"The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say."

Newcastle face Tottenham in Seoul on Sunday before returning home, with their first Premier League fixture on 16 August against Aston Villa.

Timeline of Isak transfer saga

25 May 2025 - Alexander Isak finishes 2024-25 season as Newcastle's top scorer with 27 goals in 42 appearances

19 July 2025 - Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says Isak will "absolutely" be on the club's pre-season tour of the far-east after the Swede missed a 4-0 friendly defeat by Celtic with a thigh injury

23 July 2025 - Liverpool sign striker Hugo Ekitike in £69m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt

24 July 2025 - Isak is left out of Newcastle's squad for their pre-season tour with a "minor thigh injury"

24 July 2025 - Isak expresses desire to explore move away from Newcastle

28 July 2025 - Sources tell BBC Sport that Liverpool remain keen on signing Isak, despite the arrival of Ekitike

29 July 2025 - Howe says Newcastle are yet to receive any offers for Isak

31 July 2025 - Isak trains alone at former club Real Sociedad

1 August 2025 - Newcastle reject Liverpool's opening offer for the Sweden international and the Reds may not continue their interest

2 August 2025 - Howe says he "really doesn't know what is going to happen next" and describes the situation as "far from ideal"

BBC

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Been reading the Arsenal thread, turns out Elanga has already scored his first goal for Newcastle

 

[KingKhanWC]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955173634193903735

Newcastle have played this so poorly . No point forcing a player to stay if he wants to leave so desperately.

 

[IAJ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955173634193903735

Newcastle have played this so poorly . No point forcing a player to stay if he wants to leave so desperately.

I don’t think it’s fair to only criticize Newcastle here. They’re his employers, and they clearly value him highly—so it makes sense they’re asking for a certain amount if he’s going to leave.

But what really surprises me is his behavior, especially as a Swedish player. This kind of attitude doesn’t reflect the values usually associated with Scandinavia, and he’s definitely no Zlatan. I understand he wants a move, but he should stay professional: keep training, keep playing, and let his agents and the clubs handle the rest.

Let’s say he moves to Liverpool and they have a bad season—what then? Will he sit out and wait for a transfer to Man City or PSG? Honestly, I don’t usually comment on these things, but I haven’t liked how he’s handled this situation. Of course, I don’t know the full story—there might be more going on behind the scenes. Maybe one day he’ll explain.

 

[IAJ]

Been reading the Arsenal thread, turns out Elanga has already scored his first goal for Newcastle

That thread seems more focused on attacking each other than on sharing useful insights that others can benefit from

 

[KingKhanWC]

I don’t think it’s fair to only criticize Newcastle here. They’re his employers, and they clearly value him highly—so it makes sense they’re asking for a certain amount if he’s going to leave.

But what really surprises me is his behavior, especially as a Swedish player. This kind of attitude doesn’t reflect the values usually associated with Scandinavia, and he’s definitely no Zlatan. I understand he wants a move, but he should stay professional: keep training, keep playing, and let his agents and the clubs handle the rest.

Let’s say he moves to Liverpool and they have a bad season—what then? Will he sit out and wait for a transfer to Man City or PSG? Honestly, I don’t usually comment on these things, but I haven’t liked how he’s handled this situation. Of course, I don’t know the full story—there might be more going on behind the scenes. Maybe one day he’ll explain.

I agree, his attitude is not professional at all. I think Isak feels he is at his peak and this is a good opportunity for a big move, more money etc. Footballers have such a short career, many have done something similar in the past, so this is nothing new.

I was listening to Shearer, he was suggesting there is no sporting director in place. So we dont know the full details, Isak may have been professional but may not have received the same level in return, so decided to go a bit rogue.

If he refuses to play, he will be fined, maybe even sent to the reserves. This is not good for Newcastle or the player. They are better off accepting the £110m now and try to find a striker before the window closes.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955173634193903735

Newcastle have played this so poorly . No point forcing a player to stay if he wants to leave so desperately.

I disagree that we have played this badly, we have been on the backfoot on a situation caused by Isak and by extension Liverpool

I actually think Liverpool/Isak have colluded to behave in such a way to make it so toxic that we just think "let's just get rid", which would be playing exactly into their hands

Whilst I don't care for keeping Isak if he doesn't want to be here, why on earth should we be forced to accept a lowball bid? What kind of precedent does that set? Next season what if there is interest in Tonali? And he reacts the same way, then what?

Also, what is baffling is the timing from Isak, he should have made it clear much earlier that he wanted to be away but he left it until we were back from pre-season. Which is why I think he's done it in conjunction with Liverpool to try and lower the price

Plus, it's being played out in the media with mouthpieces like Ornstein and Romano, if Isak really wants to leave then he should grow a pair and submit an official transfer request? But that would mean losing money so instead he's behaving like a scumbag instead

He also needs to tell his agent to get Liverpool to make a proper bid, not that nonsensical £110m, which was rightly dismissed

It's such a messy situation and has massively disrupted our season but I'd be more annoyed if the club cave in and sell him for a below value fee

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I don’t think it’s fair to only criticize Newcastle here. They’re his employers, and they clearly value him highly—so it makes sense they’re asking for a certain amount if he’s going to leave.

But what really surprises me is his behavior, especially as a Swedish player. This kind of attitude doesn’t reflect the values usually associated with Scandinavia, and he’s definitely no Zlatan. I understand he wants a move, but he should stay professional: keep training, keep playing, and let his agents and the clubs handle the rest.

Let’s say he moves to Liverpool and they have a bad season—what then? Will he sit out and wait for a transfer to Man City or PSG? Honestly, I don’t usually comment on these things, but I haven’t liked how he’s handled this situation. Of course, I don’t know the full story—there might be more going on behind the scenes. Maybe one day he’ll explain.

I'm surprised too, whilst he's never fully ingrained himself to the area/team like Bruno has I didn't expect this from him

I always felt he would move on, simply because he is world class and rightly could make the argument that he should be winning the big trophies but go about it the proper way, don't fake injuries, get twitter journalists to do your dirty work in public and don't refuse to train/play, that's just unacceptable

 

[KingKhanWC]

I disagree that we have played this badly, we have been on the backfoot on a situation caused by Isak and by extension Liverpool

I actually think Liverpool/Isak have colluded to behave in such a way to make it so toxic that we just think "let's just get rid", which would be playing exactly into their hands

Whilst I don't care for keeping Isak if he doesn't want to be here, why on earth should we be forced to accept a lowball bid? What kind of precedent does that set? Next season what if there is interest in Tonali? And he reacts the same way, then what?

Also, what is baffling is the timing from Isak, he should have made it clear much earlier that he wanted to be away but he left it until we were back from pre-season. Which is why I think he's done it in conjunction with Liverpool to try and lower the price

Plus, it's being played out in the media with mouthpieces like Ornstein and Romano, if Isak really wants to leave then he should grow a pair and submit an official transfer request? But that would mean losing money so instead he's behaving like a scumbag instead

He also needs to tell his agent to get Liverpool to make a proper bid, not that nonsensical £110m, which was rightly dismissed

It's such a messy situation and has massively disrupted our season but I'd be more annoyed if the club cave in and sell him for a below value fee

Liverpool made an open bid, there was no backhanded plan with Isak. I agree a club should get the value of the player esp if he still has 3 years remaining. However the situation right now is ISAK is refusing to play at all in the first XI. Player power is huge in the modern game. If I was a Newcastle fan, I would want him out even for 90m! If this drama continues into the season, he will await for the Jan window , which could damage the squad moral , mentality. Your club has improved , it would be a shame if this episode sets the club back .

 

[The_KING]

I feel sorry for Newcastle United fans. They have the richest owners in football, but can't spend any money due to PSR, which is complete BS. How can you tell someone who is a billionaire that they can't spend their money because of some nonsensical financial fairplay rules?

As for Isak, what a joke of a human being.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Liverpool made an open bid, there was no backhanded plan with Isak. I agree a club should get the value of the player esp if he still has 3 years remaining. However the situation right now is ISAK is refusing to play at all in the first XI. Player power is huge in the modern game. If I was a Newcastle fan, I would want him out even for 90m! If this drama continues into the season, he will await for the Jan window , which could damage the squad moral , mentality. Your club has improved , it would be a shame if this episode sets the club back .

That's your opinion but I think otherwise

Obviously neither can prove definitively what's happened but the behaviour of Isak combined with the lowball bid is why I'm convinced collusion has taken place. Plus you add in how Romano/Orsntein/Jacobs have basically been running PR for Liverpool

I don't care for Isak, seeing him play again for us is of no interest but as a club we absolutely have to take a stand, accepting "even for 90m!" would actually set such a bad precedent for the club. I would actually prefer to let him sit in the reserves for 3 years and then leave on a free

We absolutely should not accept any fee, it has to be at the price we deem suitable and I personally would go one step further if Liverpool do match the evaluation, I would insist he submits an official transfer request, there's not a chance he should be leaving with any sort of loyalty bonus

Fwiw I think Liverpool will come back with another bid around £120m with some add ons and I think the club will accept

 

[Markhor]

I feel sorry for Newcastle United fans. They have the richest owners in football, but can't spend any money due to PSR, which is complete BS. How can you tell someone who is a billionaire that they can't spend their money because of some nonsensical financial fairplay rules?

As for Isak, what a joke of a human being.

There's good reasoning behind PSR. Look it's understandable why clubs like Newcastle and Villa feel PSR frustrates their ability to catch up with the established clubs. However spending needed reining in.

In the last season of the old First Division, wages were 44% of club turnover. In the Premier League in 2010, that rose to 70% (even higher in the Championship). We've seen clubs literally go bust. Nation states like PSG spending limitless amounts also distorts competition and has turned the French League into a joke. It's not perfect (clubs like Chelsea gamed the system by selling their womens team to themselves) but better than before.

Clubs like Bournemouth and Brighton have shown you don't need massive expenditure to succeed. Their recruitment is phenomenal and sell players on for huge profits which can be reinvested. Newcastle's smart recruitment and Howe's excellent coaching meant they returned to the CL and won a trophy even with PSR limits.

If Newcastle want to spend more, they must grow their revenues through consistent CL qualification (especially with the current format that earns clubs more money with the extra games), stadium expansion and bringing in more commercial partners.

From an outside perspective, it seems the Saudis just seem to have their fingers in too many pies to Newcastle's detriment. Much of the legwork behind transfers occurs before a window - but impossible when CEOs/DOFs are coming and going.