Newcastle are beaten 4-0 by Celtic in their first pre-season fixture, with striker Alexander Isak left out of the Magpies squad.

Newcastle believe patience is required and, while they have already had to recalibrate after failing to secure top targets, the interim transfer team — driven by Andy Howe, the assistant head of recruitment and Eddie’s nephew, and Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment — are continuing to pursue multiple deals across several positions.

SPORT.com has all the latest news, updates, views and reaction from around the footballing world. Liverpool have broadly agreed an initial fee with Eintracht Frankfurt of £69 million for Hugo

The Reds were pushed into a move for Ekitike after Newcastle had a €70m [£61m] rejected for the 23-year-old striker, and after having their own bid of €80m [£69m] knocked back by the Bundesliga side, have now made a new offer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Following Callum Wilson’s exit and the failure to sign Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have been left alarmingly short up top. Remove Isak and they appear toothless, which is unnerving given his durability will be tested across 2025-26 with the additional demands of Champions League football.

Liverpool have learned a blockbuster move for Alexander Isak is still ON, thanks to Newcastle's owners, with Fabrizio Romano sharing the player's thoughts.

Liverpool looks to have moved on swiftly from Alexander Isak links, pivoting to Hugo Ekitike. But that does not necessarily mean that the Swede will stay put.

The Premier League champions are willing to go all out in their push to land Isak, with a juicy offer being prepared for Newcastle, and with Fabrizio Romano revealing the striker's thoughts on a trans