(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media / Imago)

Jack Heath

Fri 1 August 2025 7:00, UK

Newcastle United have stepped up their bid to sign Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham after Alexander Isak went AWOL from training.

Liverpool deal edges closer as Alexander Isak goes AWOL at Newcastle	Newcastle refuse to deny Alexander Isak has gone AWOL after he returned to his old club to train while Toon are on tour in the Far East - as he hopes to force through record Liverpool move	Alexander Isak spotted at former club after going 'AWOL' amid Liverpool transfer saga

The hunt for a striker is causing serious issues for Eddie Howe as he looks to bring in someone to replace the possible exit of Isak.

The Swede has made his intentions clear that he wants out of St James’ Park with the number 14 training away from the team on his own at former club Real Sociedad.

Newcastle refuse to deny that Isak has gone AWOL from training after he returned to his old club while his current teammates are on tour in the Far East.

Liverpool are firm favourites to sign the ex-Borussia Dortmund forward whilst the Toon scramble to find a replacement should last season’s top scorer leave.

Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Yoane Wissa of Brentford are two of the targets the Magpies have failed to bring in thus far with the pair being “problematic” to sign.



(Credit: Imago)

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According to the Daily Mail (31 July), “informal contact has been made with intermediaries” for the Fulham forward.

The report understands that the Brazilian was “not a target” but “just this week” had become an option on the radar of the Magpies.

Other names in the mix include Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, with a move for the latter currently considered to be an alternative.

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Muniz in action last season for the Cottagers

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Football Insider verdict

Given the Brazilian shared minutes last season with Raul Jimenez at Fulham, guarantees would need to be made for increased starts if he was to join Newcastle.

The number nine started eight times in 31 appearances in the Premier League last campaign and he will be wanting to play with more frequency if he was to leave.

A move to Tyneside playing back-up to the Swedish striker makes zero sense at a pivotal stage in 24-year-old’s career.

Rodrigo Muniz 2024-25 all competitionsAppearances 36Minutes played1370Goals11Assists2The former Middlesborough striker will be wanting to find more game time based on last season’s statistics (Source: Sofascore)

Muniz is also of reported interest of Leeds as they look for a supporting striker option alongside Joel Piroe.

Therefore, if Howe wants to seal the ex-Flamengo striker’s signature, expectations would need to be met that the Brazilian starts on a regular basis.

Willy Osula is the other attacking alternative for the former Bournemouth boss but making the Dane a regular starter seems a bit far-fetched considering he failed to start any league games, even when both Isak and Callum Wilson were injured.

With the season fast approaching, the Magpies have to be decisive if they are to find a suitable replacement for their number 14 should he go.

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