Alexander Isak has been confirmed absent from Newcastle United's squad to face Aston Villa at lunchtime as the summer's biggest transfer saga enters a new and ugly chapter with the centre-forward now set to be fined.

Sweden striker Isak is refusing to play for the Toon as he attempts to force a move out of St James' Park and towards reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds have had one bid for Isak rejected and it remains unclear whether they will return with an improved offer before the deadline at 7pm on September 1.

But that has not stopped Isak from digging his heels in as he attempts to extract himself from a club where he was previously on the cusp of hero status.

He has three years remaining on his contract and has continued to receive his £140,000 per week salary

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