Overview

• Captain Bruno Guimarães says the team is missing Alexander Isak, confirming the striker is training away from the squad and has had no recent contact with teammates.
• Liverpool’s £110 million offer was turned down earlier this month, and reporting says Newcastle value Isak higher as they prefer to keep him unless conditions change.
• Newcastle chairman Yasir Al‑Rumayyan attended the Liverpool match and club principals held private talks with Isak that were described as a step in the right direction, though Eddie Howe said he is not across the details.
• Legal suggestions that Isak could terminate his contract under FIFA’s Article 17 were dismissed by a football finance expert, citing domestic transfer rules and the season already being underway.
• David Ornstein reports the situation could go down to the wire, with Newcastle pursuing potential forward reinforcements such as Yoane Wissa and Jørgen Strand Larsen while Liverpool remain interested.