Newcastle to punish Alexander Isak as next step in Liverpool transfer saga is taken

Alexander Isak was notably left out of Newcastle United's squad for their clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, as the summer's most dramatic transfer saga takes an unpleasant turn. The centre-forward is now facing a fine.

The Swedish striker is refusing to play for the Toon in an attempt to force a move away from St James' Park and towards current Premier League champions Liverpool. Despite having one bid for Isak rejected, it remains uncertain whether the Reds will come back with a better offer before the 7pm deadline on 1 September.

This hasn't deterred Isak from standing his ground, trying to extricate himself from a club where he was once on the brink of becoming a hero.

With three years left on his contract and still receiving his £140,000 weekly wage despite not training with his team-mates recently, Isak continues to work solo at the club's training ground and has even moved out of his Tyneside home.

Anthony Gordon instead led the line for Newcastle, while Anthony Elanga made his debut following a £55m transfer from Nottingham Forest. Other new signings Malik Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale are on the bench, reports the Mirror.

On the other hand, Villa selected Marco Bizot, a summer recruit from Brest, as goalkeeper with Emi Martinez serving a one-match ban. New striker Evann Guessand, a £26m signing from Rennes, started on the bench.

However, Isak's absence at Villa Park is expected to result in a fine, as per reports. Eddie Howe confessed yesterday that the standoff has unsettled his squad during pre-season.

"I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season," he admitted before the journey to Villa. "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."