PIF set sights on signing 13-goal star for Newcastle after Isak bombshell

Following the undeniable bombshell that Alexander Isak has asked to leave the club, Newcastle United and PIF have reportedly set their sights on a talented replacement.

When news emerged that he was suffering from a thigh injury and he would, therefore, not travel to take part in Newcastle’s Asia tour, it became clear that trouble may be afoot. And soon enough, reports came to the fore that Isak has, indeed, asked to leave St James’ Park this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Liverpool.

It would have been Newcastle’s biggest fear heading into this summer, but that fear would have only increased by their own transfer failure. The last thing that Eddie Howe needs after watching the Magpies miss out on Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo is for Isak to depart, but that may be the reality that he is forced to live with next season.

There is still one positive in this saga for Newcastle, though. As frustrating as losing Isak would be, his exit would instantly solve any remaining PSR problems for the foreseeable future and allow PIF to flex their financial muscles in full.

According to The Athletic, the final package to sign Isak could cost as much as £250m, with Newcastle demanding a transfer fee worth as much as £150m before agent fees and wages are taken into account.

With a chunk of that money, the Magpies could welcome an instant replacement and then finally splash the cash to improve other areas in Howe’s squad.

PIF set sights on Lois Openda

Turning towards an Isak replacement before anything, those at St James’ Park are now reportedly ‘targeting’ a Bundesliga talent. According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, PIF have now set their sights on signing Lois Openda for Newcastle this summer as they look to find the heir to Isak’s Tyneside throne.

The RB Leipzig forward, now at the peak of his powers at 25 years old, is not the out-and-out goalscorer that Isak is, but he is a better creator and could provide Howe with a better all-rounder than the Swede.

After impressing in the 2023/24 campaign, Openda picked up where he left off last season and ended the campaign with 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. Described as a “fantastic young striker” by scout Jacek Kulig whilst in Germany, the Belgian could now get the chance to make the biggest move of his career so far.

Tottenham host West Ham in Martin Ho’s opening WSL fixture

The 2025/26 Women’s Super League fixtures have been released as Spurs seek to improve on the disappointment of last season.

Tottenham will begin life under new head coach Martin Ho with a home clash against crosstown rivals West Ham in the Women’s Super League.

Ho replaced Robert Vilahamn in early July after a two year stint with Norwegian side Brann, where he notably reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2023/24 before falling short to eventual winners Barcelona.

The Englishman previously had experience as an assistant coach with Everton and Manchester United. The Toffees will be his first away test while an away trip to United will round off 2025 on the 14th December.

Champions Chelsea are the next London derby Spurs will contest away from home (Oct 11th), with the home tie taking place in February (8th).

The first North London Derby of the campaign will be played on November 16th – a week after the Lilywhites visit the newly-promoted London City Lionesses.

The second game against Arsenal comes during arguably the trickiest run of the year, sandwiched in between Manchester City away (Mar 22nd) and Man United at home (Apr 26th).

The season will conclude in the middle of May as Tottenham travel to East Sussex to face Brighton.

By that point, Ho will hope to have significantly bettered the 11th placed finish from 2024/25, as well as being competitive in the domestic cups – something that Vilahamn was able to do in his debut season in a run to Spurs’ first FA Cup final.

Idea of signing Tottenham player losing momentum – Non-EU spot causing problems

Earlier this month, Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Juventus interest in Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The newspaper claimed that the 28-year-old could be moved on by the London club, with Juve looking to offer a fee of €15m and they had no problems in handing the Mali international a non-EU spot.

Damien Comolli, who has previously worked at the Tottenham, was likely to have a key role to play in the transfer.

Things are now taking a turn at Juventus and it will impact Bissouma’s future.