Archive August 2, 2025

Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, calls the transfer situation involving Alexander Isak “complex” and “far from ideal.”

Isak was offered by Newcastle for around £150 million on Friday after Liverpool had already bid for him for a £110 million player.

The 25-year-old was excluded from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia because of what the club called a “minor” thigh issue.

Howe claimed he learned about the news through the media that the Swede has since been training alone at his former club Real Sociedad.

“I was informed that yesterday there was a bid.” Before I learned about it, that offer was declined. Back home in England, there are those who are addressing the situation.

We still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still for us to see him wearing a Newcastle shirt once more, Alex said. “I really don’t know what will happen next.

In 2022, Isak left Sociedad for La Liga for a £60 million move to Newcastle.

He led the Magpies in scoring last season as they won the Carabao Cup and put an end to their 70-year search for domestic silverware.

Howe continued, “I know where he is through the media, so I think it’s difficult for me to go into any detail,” adding that he is not in direct contact with the forward.

“The situation is not ideal,” he said. It is a lot of work. That is all I have to say, in my opinion.

Eddie Howe, Newcastle manager, announced on July 19 that Isak will “absolutely” be on the team’s pre-season tour of the far east after the Swede missed a 4-0 friendly defeat by Celtic with a thigh injury.

Hugo Ekitike has signed for Liverpool for $69 million from Eintracht Frankfurt as of July 2025.

Isak is ruled out of Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour due to a “minor thigh injury” on July 24, 2025.

Isak expresses a desire to relocate to a different city on July 24, 2025.

28 July 2025 – Sources tell BBC Sport that despite the arrival of Ekitike, Liverpool are still interested in signing Isak.

Howe claims Newcastle have not yet received any offers for Isak as of July 29.

Isak trains alone at the former Real Sociedad on July 31, 2025.

Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s initial offer for the Sweden international on August 1, 2025, and the Reds may not continue to pursue their interest.

How well-equipped are Celtic to build on their recent success and advance this season now that Celtic are about to begin defending their Scottish title and facing a crucial Champions League qualifying play-off?

With apparent concern that the squad is lacking in a number of areas, manager Brendan Rodgers expressed on Friday that there are “gaps in the squad that are very clear,” which has been a central theme of Celtic supporter conversation of late.

Although there is still a long way to go in the transfer window, are Celtic prepared to face the immediate challenges that lie ahead in terms of a stronger title challenge from Rangers and a clear desire to keep playing at the top of European football?

Rodgers made improvement in Europe his top priority when he left the organization last year, pushing Bayern Munich to the Champions League play-off spot just a little short of the mark.

A play-off in less than a month will determine this season’s participation, and a reversal would be significant.

What happens in Rodgers’ final three years may have a significant impact on whether he thinks he can continue this progression with just one year left on his three-year contract.

It has been almost undiluted domestic success both times Rodgers has taken over Celtic after his second season in charge.

In addition to challenging Champions League campaigns, he recorded two domestic trebles in his first two seasons.

A previously adoring audience erupted in fury as Rodgers left for Leicester City as a result of winning the League Cup in 2018, which meant a seventh straight domestic trophy. However, Rodgers’ perceived disappointment that he had hit a ceiling with Celtic and the lure of the English Premier League caused him to resign.

Four years later, his return received a scant response. He declared that he would remain on the full three-year contract and quickly resurrected his winning ways.

He has won two league and cup titles in two seasons, but Rodgers’ progression shows that clearly in the Champions League.

He has repeatedly emphasized the need for top squad additions in order for that to continue.

With Nicolas Khun’s departure, Jota’s long-term injury, and the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi’s replacement since the Japan forward left in January, that need has grown more pressing.

Rodgers has repeatedly referred to what his squad requires when describing the word “quality.” He’s also stated abundantly that he needs more natural wingers and wants more firepower.

On initial evidence, Sweden winger Benjamin Nygren appears to be good business, and Scotland defender Kieran Tierney’s return adds undeniable talent.

Other intriguing new faces appear to be focused on development.

A significant portion of the Celtic support feel that their domestic dominance is in danger because they are reluctant to spend significant amounts of money.

That’s fair, is it?

Although the former Celtic midfielder recognizes the frustration of his fans, Tierney’s free transfer to the new club serves as an example of how things are being overstated.

He claimed that Tierney’s inclusion in the free papers overshadowed his reputation as a player of outstanding quality.

“The only thing that worries me is that Brendan Rodgers actually mentioned starting players rather than starting them.”

Many clubs must be envious of Celtic’s long-term transfer strategy, which has consistently been successful.

Matt O’Riley, Jota, and Kuhn’s fans have made a sizable profit.

Arne Engels and Adam Idah, both of whom Celtic signed last summer, were significant investments. Some fans may feel they overpaid, but that opinion may change over the coming months.

A rough estimate of the receipts for the summer alone suggests that about £20-25 million has been spent on top of that.

Fans will be pleasantly surprised by a return to Rodgers’ first season. Celtic was widely recruited, and the response from supporters at the time was overwhelmingly positive.

A quick glance through that list of names might help a little bit. After spending close to £15 million, Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Marco Tilio, Odin Thiago Holm, and Maik Nawrocki failed to pass.

Rodgers has stated on numerous occasions that he anticipates that his squad will be stronger by the end of August and that there will likely be some restraint.

With that crucial play-off hurdle in mind, is whether that will be enough to satisfy him and a support desperate for more domestic success and to see their team resurrect after a successful Champions League campaign last term?

Allan said, “I completely understand his Rodgers’ frustration.”

He mentioned how evolving every year after Bayern Munich’s exit. That likely looked into the future of this window.

When Kyogo left, there were many questions posed. Although Daizen Maeda performed as the number nine, I don’t think Brendan Rodgers would prefer him to play the wing.

He says, “He wants to grow the team, he wants to stay there longer,” and that requires quality work.

How well-equipped are Celtic to build on their recent success and advance this season now that Celtic are about to begin defending their Scottish title and facing a crucial Champions League qualifying play-off?

With apparent concern that the squad is lacking in a number of areas, manager Brendan Rodgers expressed on Friday that there are “gaps in the squad that are very clear,” which has been a central theme of Celtic supporter conversation of late.

Although there is still a long way to go in the transfer window, are Celtic prepared to face the immediate challenges that lie ahead in terms of a stronger title challenge from Rangers and a clear desire to keep playing at the top of European football?

Rodgers made improvement in Europe his top priority when he left the organization last year, pushing Bayern Munich to the Champions League play-off spot just a little short of the mark.

A play-off in less than a month will determine this season’s participation, and a reversal would be significant.

What happens in Rodgers’ final three years may have a significant impact on whether he thinks he can continue this progression with just one year left on his three-year contract.

It has been almost undiluted domestic success both times Rodgers has taken over Celtic after his second season in charge.

In addition to challenging Champions League campaigns, he recorded two domestic trebles in his first two seasons.

A previously adoring audience erupted in fury as Rodgers left for Leicester City as a result of winning the League Cup in 2018, which meant a seventh straight domestic trophy. However, Rodgers’ perceived disappointment that he had hit a ceiling with Celtic and the lure of the English Premier League caused him to resign.

Four years later, his return received a scant response. He declared that he would remain on the full three-year contract and quickly resurrected his winning ways.

He has won two league and cup titles in two seasons, but Rodgers’ progression shows that clearly in the Champions League.

He has repeatedly emphasized the need for top squad additions in order for that to continue.

With Nicolas Khun’s departure, Jota’s long-term injury, and the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi’s replacement since the Japan forward left in January, that need has grown more pressing.

Rodgers has repeatedly referred to what his squad requires when describing the word “quality.” He’s also stated abundantly that he needs more natural wingers and wants more firepower.

On initial evidence, Sweden winger Benjamin Nygren appears to be good business, and Scotland defender Kieran Tierney’s return adds undeniable talent.

Other intriguing new faces appear to be focused on development.

A significant portion of the Celtic support feel that their domestic dominance is in danger because they are reluctant to spend significant amounts of money.

That’s fair, is it?

Scott Allan, a former Celtic midfielder, acknowledges the fan apprehension, but he points to Tierney’s free transfer as an example of how things are being overstated.

He claimed that Tierney’s inclusion in the free papers overshadowed his reputation as a player of outstanding quality.

“The only thing that worries me is that Brendan Rodgers actually mentioned starting players rather than starting them.”

Many clubs must be envious of Celtic’s long-term transfer strategy, which has consistently been successful.

Matt O’Riley, Jota, and Kuhn’s fans have made a sizable profit.

Arne Engels and Adam Idah, both of whom Celtic signed last summer, were significant investments. Some fans may feel they overpaid, but that opinion may change over the coming months.

A rough estimate of the receipts for the summer alone suggests that about £20-25 million has been spent on top of that.

Fans will be pleasantly surprised by a return to Rodgers’ first season. Celtic was widely recruited, and the response from supporters at the time was overwhelmingly positive.

A quick glance through that list of names might help a little bit. After spending close to £15 million, Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Marco Tilio, Odin Thiago Holm, and Maik Nawrocki failed to pass.

Rodgers has stated on numerous occasions that he anticipates that his squad will be stronger by the end of August and that there will likely be some restraint.

With that crucial play-off hurdle in mind, is whether that will be enough to satisfy him and a support desperate for more domestic success and to see their team resurrect after a successful Champions League campaign last term?

Allan said, “I completely understand his Rodgers’ frustration.”

He mentioned how evolving every year after Bayern Munich’s exit. That likely looked into the future of this window.

When Kyogo left, there were many questions posed. Although Daizen Maeda performed as the number nine, I don’t think Brendan Rodgers would prefer him to play the wing.

He says, “He wants to grow the team, he wants to stay there longer,” and that requires quality work.