(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Sat 16 August 2025 20:00, UK

Newcastle remain the priority of their owners despite other transfers from PIF-owned clubs seeming to hinder the Magpies’ transfer strategy.

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That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that view was backed up by the North Eastern side’s insistence they will not sell their star striker.

Isak is Liverpool’s priority target this summer, but Newcastle are desperately keen to keep hold of the Swedish striker.

Despite his attempts to force through a move to Anfield, the 25-year-old has three years left on his current deal and the Magpies are holding firm on their £150million asking price [BBC Sport].

However, the club’s owners, the Saudi Arabian Private Investment Fund (PIF), have made several moves that seemingly undermine the Premier League side.

Yoane Wissa is a target for Newcastle.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

PIF-owned Al-Hilal have signed Darwin Nunez from Liverpool, bolstering the Reds’ transfer funds that could be used to sign Isak.

And Newcastle are fighting Al-Nassr to sign Yoane Wissa as a potential replacement for their star man, another club owned by the PIF.

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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.

Whilst PIF’s transfer strategy appears to be undermining Newcastle, Plumley told Football Insider that the Magpies and their fans will believe they are still their owners’ priority club.

He said: “The thing that the PIF are doing, or rather Newcastle are doing, is slapping a huge fee on Alexander Isak and saying ‘we don’t want to sell him’, which has been pretty clear from Newcastle.

He’s not for sale.

“I think from the fan perspective, you can look at that both ways, and it depends on which side of the argument you fall on.

“I still think a lot of fans will think that Newcastle is the top priority there for the PIF.

“They’re being really steadfast on Isak and saying, ‘we’re not selling him’, which probably justifies that argument at the minute.”

Alexander Isak is holding out for a move to Liverpool.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Having missed out on the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Benjamin Sesko, the Magpies are now turning to alternative striking options.

Against Aston Villa on their opening day game, Eddie Howe’s side were toothless in attack as Anthony Gordon struggled as a makeshift striker.

One of the options that Newcastle were interested in was Samu Aghehowa.

Samu Aghehowa was in fine form for Porto last season.

(Credit: Imago)

The Spanish striker lit up the Liga Nos last season, finishing second in the scoring charts behind Arsenal’s new man, Viktor Gyokeres.

However, Keith Wyness told Football Insider exclusively that Newcastle should not sign Aghehowa, as the youngster lacked the movement that Isak currently offers and would not be a good fit.

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