After several years of relative caution in the transfer market, Newcastle United made a splash this summer with a host of new arrivals.
That investment bore fruit in Europe when the Magpies thrashed Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Belgium, their first win of this season’s competition and the biggest in their history.
Domestically, however, there were concerns. Newcastle’s attack looked disjointed in the early weeks of the season, with the team sitting towards the bottom of the league in their expected goals tally.
While new players are settling in, the club also had to balance the books, leading to some painful sales – including Alexander Isak’s £125m move to Liverpool.
Isak's early struggles at Liverpool
Isak’s exit dominated the summer headlines for months on end.
Having scored 62 goals and provided 11 assists in 109 appearances for Newcastle, the Swedish striker left an indelible mark on Tyneside.
His winner in last season’s Carabao Cup final sealed the club’s first major trophy in decades, making him a hero in black and white.
But the manner of his departure left a sour taste.
Isak pushed hard for the move, skipping parts of pre-season to engineer a transfer, and while Newcastle ultimately received a British record fee, the relationship between player and fans has been tarnished beyond repair.
Liverpool won the race for his signature, hoping Isak would provide the cutting edge needed to reclaim the Premier League title.
Yet, so far, things have not gone to plan.
Isak has looked far from his best, still working back to full fitness after missing much of Newcastle’s pre-season.
His lone goal for the Reds came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, but he has struggled in the league and Europe.
Against Crystal Palace last weekend, Isak’s difficulties were clear.
He registered three shots, all of them off target, and missed two big chances, as per Sofascore, in what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon. He attempted one dribble, which was unsuccessful, and completed just six of his ten passes.
A cameo against Galatasaray in the Champions League brought little improvement as Liverpool slipped to defeat.
At Newcastle, the system was built to maximise Isak’s movement and finishing, but at Anfield, he has struggled to replicate that influence.
For £125m, Liverpool will expect far more, and quickly.
If Isak’s summer switch has left him looking adrift, Sean Longstaff’s move has provided the perfect reset. Both departures have created talking points, but their fortunes could not have contrasted more.
Newcastle outcast is now shining in the Premier League
While Isak is yet to catch fire, Longstaff has quietly flourished in his new home. Journalist Daniel Storey even went as far as to describe his capture as “one of the best signings in the Premier League.”
A boyhood Newcastle supporter, Longstaff made 214 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals and assisting 11 more.
He was part of the side that famously defeated Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in the Champions League last season and played a role in the Carabao Cup triumph.
Yet, in the era of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the midfielder represented pure profit on the balance sheet. Eddie Howe, seeking a more technically progressive profile in midfield, allowed him to leave.
Leeds United snapped him up for £12m, and it already looks like one of the bargains of the summer.
In seven appearances so far, Longstaff has scored once and registered one assist, both of which came in a standout performance during a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
He completely dominated the midfield, and the numbers tell the story of that display.
Longstaff had 70 touches and completed 36 of his 41 passes, giving Leeds control in possession.
He produced seven key passes, created two big chances, and was equally impactful without the ball, making six tackles and three clearances.
It was the kind of all-action midfield performance Newcastle fans once enjoyed, only this time in white.
Leeds currently sit 12th in the table, a solid return for a side adjusting to life back in the Premier League, and Longstaff has been central to their early progress.
Matches Played
6
Minutes
386
Goals
1
Assist
1
Progressive Passes
8
His energy, vision, and defensive contribution have helped Daniel Farke’s side adapt quickly, and his blend of experience and hunger has made him a fan favourite.
For Newcastle, his departure may have made financial sense, but watching him thrive elsewhere will sting.
