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Former Liverpool star Stewart Downing believes Eddie Howe has been let down by Newcastle as the saga surrounding striker Alexander Isak continues.

The Magpies opened their Premier League campaign last weekend against Aston Villa without their star striker, with Isak's camp having told Newcastle the Swedish forward has no intention of playing for the team ever again.

Alexander Isak scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last season

However, even if Newcastle do land Wissa, there is no guarantee they will sell Isak to Liverpool

They let Callum Wilson leave on a free this summer, meaning they need to land another forward should they begin to entertain notions of selling the Swede.

Finding a striker to come in to replace Isak has been tough work for Newcastle, who held an interest in Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesko, only for the former two to choose to sign for Chelsea, while the latter spurned the Magpies advances to join Manchester United.

And speaking to Flashscore, former Liverpool winger Downing believes boss Howe has been let down by the club's inability to find a replacement for its star man, forcing him to operate with his hands tied.

"I was excited about Newcastle United," Stewart Downing said via Flashscore.

"I thought they've got a bit of money with some big backing, but they've had a bit of a terrible transfer window really even before the Alexander Isak saga rumbling on.

"That’s not helped them at all

Howe has been unable to call on Isak after he was left unsettled by a transfer bid from Liverpool

I can understand why they're dragging it out.

"They want top money for him because he's a big part of how they play, but how are they going to replace him?

"It’s great for Liverpool if they sign him, and that makes them even stronger, but it’ll weaken Newcastle so much so I can understand Eddie Howe’s frustrations.

"If they sell Isak, they haven’t got anyone they can go to and replace him with of that quality."


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