Newcastle to punish Alexander Isak as Liverpool transfer saga turns ugly

Newcastle are expected to punish Alexander Isak with a club fine if he misses the opening game of the Premier League season - with the striker desperate to force a move to Liverpool. The Sweden international is set to be fined as his refusal to feature for the Magpies reaches the clash with Aston Villa.

Isak is looking to force a move to Liverpool this summer and has not trained with Eddie Howe's first team since they went on their pre-season tour of Asia. The club's star striker has worked separately from his colleagues who helped the club qualify for the Champions League last term.

Liverpool have seen an offer rejected by the Magpies already this summer. Newcastle's initial stance was that the forward was not for sale and the Reds not expected to return for a deal unless encouraged to do so.

But Isak is not yet giving up on a move and has claimed he will not play for Newcastle again, regardless of how the next few weeks pan out. And it is that stance that could see the 25-year-old punished.

The former Real Sociedad star has continued to receive his £140,000-a-week wages amidst the stand-off. No fine has been issued despite his stance he will not play for the club.

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Mail Online report Newcastle's stance will change once Isak misses a competitive match and discipline will then arrive. The Magpies travel to Aston Villa to open up their Premier League campaign.

Isak's stance is reported to be firm with the worry that relenting on his approach would only encourage Newcastle to believe a truce can be achieved and kill any prospect of a transfer. But despite moving towards signing Yoane Wisse, the St James' Park side have not found a suitable replacement for their primary goalscorer.

Howe has revealed the current situation has disrupted his squad's pre-season. "I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season," he said.

"There was nothing I could do to affect that — it was always going to be there. When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react.

"But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought.

"Whatever situation you're in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I've got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."

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