Newcastle official spotted with new signing – Photo confirmation with move imminent

Saturday afternoon’s pre-season opener turned into an afternoon that many Newcastle fans will want to forget ever happened.

The Mags fell to a 4-0 loss at Celtic Park, with goals from Arne Engels, Jonjoe Kenny, Yang Hyun-Jun and Liam Scales giving Celtic the win in the Adidas Trophy game.

The absence of Alexander Isak, Joelinton, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento was felt, as Howe looks to manage the minutes of even his very top players at this stage of the summer.

However, in what may seem like a small consolation given the lack of senior additions so far, another project signing was spotted at Celtic Park ahead of his official move to Newcastle.

New signing seen at Celtic Park

Pictured in attendance for yesterday’s 3pm kick-off was South Korean winger Park-Seung Soo, who has been tipped to sign imminently.

Although not officially a Newcastle United player just yet, Park sat alongside the newly-appointed Head of Strategy Jack Ross (to the left). See both photos below:

We revealed earlier this week that the 18-year-old had landed in the UK and was set for a medical, so we can expect an announcement very soon confirming his arrival.

As reported, Newcastle are believed to have beaten Bayern Munich and Marseille to his signature, while reports in Asia indicate that he’s likely to stay with our under-21s in his first year, opposed to being loaned out.

Will he feature during pre-season tour of Asia?

After today’s torrid display against Brendan Rodgers’ side, and with Anthony Elanga being the only first team-calibre player brought in so far this window, could Eddie Howe be tempted to bring some of his youngsters along for upcoming pre-season tour of Asia?

The likes of Sean Neave, Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar have all built up quite a reputation within the youth system, and will be clamouring for opportunities in the senior squad for the upcoming season.

Park could be an option as well. We notably play Team K-League and Spurs in his native South Korea, so the opportunity to showcase his talent in front of a welcoming crowd could be the perfect way to kickstart his Toon career.

One youngster we’re unlikely to see much of in pre-season however is Antonio Cordero: fresh off a run to the finals of the U-19 EUROs with Spain, he’s still expected to be loaned out this summer, with Ajax a reported candidate to sign him.

All eyes on PIF as Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga takes worrying turn for Newcastle United

It will be fascinating to see how Newcastle United owners PIF respond to the latest developments surrounding Alexander Isak. 

For much of the summer thus far, the message from Newcastle United has been that Isak simply isn’t for sale despite interest from Liverpool.

Indeed, Liverpool want to sign Isak but Newcastle are under no financial pressure to sell a player who still has three years left on his contract at St James’ Park.

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has told Newcastle executives not to sell Isak this summer, with the Sweden international thought to be his favourite player.

However, Isak was sent home from Newcastle’s pre-season game against Celtic. While Newcastle insist they were simply protecting Isak, it’s clearly an unwelcome development.

Now, it’s up to PIF to respond.

• READ MORE: Anthony Elanga addresses Alexander Isak and Liverpool ‘rumours’ after joining Newcastle United

Newcastle United owners must keep Alexander Isak

If the Newcastle United owners change their stance and sell Isak this summer, it would send a rather unwelcome message to other clubs.

Newcastle were furious with Liverpool over their approach for Isak and wilting in the face of pressure would suggest the club’s hand can be forced.

Other top players could then become targets for other clubs. If they know that Newcastle can be bullied into letting stars leave against the club’s will, then it may well become open season.

Next summer, the situation is different. Isak would then have two years left on his contract unless he signs a new deal any time soon, and selling would make sense if Newcastle hope to extract anything approaching maximum value.

Al-Rumayyan has never been forced to sell one of Newcastle’s best players. No one wanted to cash in on Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer, but selling them to balance the books was more palatable than letting one of Newcastle’s truly elite stars go at the time.

Should Newcastle adopt a hardline stance and keep Isak even despite the Celtic debacle, it’ll be quite the statement of intent. Should they cave and cash in, it would suggest Newcastle can be bullied into things.

If Newcastle cannot keep a player with three years left on his contract after qualifying for the Champions League, it sets a worrying precedent.

Alexander Isak actually agreed he should be sent home from Celtic game

Eddie Howe has confirmed Isak agreed Newcastle should send him home, such was their desire to avoid the cameras amid so much speculation.

It looked like a strange decision. Joelinton also wasn’t in the squad, but still sat in the stands to watch his team in action.