(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)

Harri Burton

Sat 9 August 2025 18:01, UK

Newcastle United supporters’ hopes of a positive season are quickly draining as Eddie Howe faces an unprecedented nightmare summer.

Alexander Isak facing Newcastle axe as Eddie Howe provides Liverpool transfer update	Van Dijk and Anthony Gordon react as Heung-Min Son says Tottenham goodbye	'Eddie Howe set for another rejection' as Newcastle plot surprise Aston Villa move

Anthony Elanga’s £55million move from Nottingham Forest [BBC Sport] was greeted with a lot of excitement at St James’ Park, but that is really as good as it gets for the Magpies.

With Alexander Isak trying to push through a move to Liverpool, not travelling with the squad on pre-season and now training by himself, the manager is facing the prospect of having no striker for next term.

Callum Wilson joined West Ham as a free agent, and while William Osula is a natural centre-forward, the 22-year-old has struggled to take his opportunity to impress the boss.

Newcastle United could lose Alexander Isak.

(Credit: Imago)

Newcastle have gone without victory throughout the whole of pre-season, losing their latest game to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, 9 August, having also lost to Celtic, Arsenal, and K-League All Stars.

However, Howe’s issues off the pitch appear to have leaked onto the grass, with new concerns emerging over another star attacker – Anthony Gordon – who notched 15 goal contributions last season.

The 24-year-old pulled up with an injury towards the end of their clash against Atletico, with the commentators worried about a potential hamstring injury before he hobbled off with the medical team.

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A long-term injury for the former Everton star now would be an incredible blow for the Magpies, and it would only add to the already desperate situation that the club and Howe find themselves in.

Anthony Gordon picked up an injury against Atletico Madrid.

(Credit: Imago)

The Magpies have clearly been searching for a new striker as the saga surrounding Isak trundles on, and with 52 goals across the last two seasons, the Sweden international is not an easy figure to replace.

Benjamin Sesko is the latest transfer failure, also losing the race for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Hugo Ekitike, with Football Insider understanding that Howe is being blamed by Newcastle.

Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Pressure only continues to mount on the manager, and it is unclear how much more the former Bournemouth coach can take before calling it quits.

No Isak?
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