Newcastle United started the new Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday and star striker Alexander Isak was conspicuous by his absence.
The Magpies ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool last term. They also secured Champions League qualification, raising hopes of a fruitful 2025-26 season.
However, their new campaign has been overshadowed by the drama surrounding striker Isak. The Sweden forward is making every effort to force a move to Liverpool, but the deal seems stuck.
Isak was not involved in Newcastle's Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after making it clear he wants to leave St James' Park.
The 25-year-old saw a £110 million bid from defending champions Liverpool rejected earlier in August, while training away from the senior squad at Newcastle.
Despite the dire situation, manager Eddie Howe insisted Isak could yet be reintegrated.
“Yes, I believe there is (a way), but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen, but that's for another day,” Howe said.
“At the moment I would (expect him to stay) but I've got no change of feeling. It's not in my hands but he's contracted to us and that's why I say that.”
Apart from the Isak saga, Newcastle have endured a lukewarm transfer window.
Winger Anthony Elanga arrived from Nottingham Forest in early July before they signed defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton in August. Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is also close to joining from Villa.
But the spotlight remains on Isak, who is among the highest paid players at the club. According to reports, he faces a fine of two weeks' wages for missing a competitive match.
Below is the wage list of Newcastle United, compiled with the help of reports, capology.com and spotrac.com.
The highest paid players at Newcastle get paid significantly less than their counterparts at Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Newcastle United salaries for 2025-26
1. Bruno Guimaraes – £160,000 per week
=2. Anthony Gordon – £150,000 per week
=2. Joelinton – £150,000 per week
=4. Alexander Isak – £120,000 per week
=4. Sandro Tonali – £120,000 per week
=4. Kieran Trippier – £120,000 per week
=4. Aaron Ramsdale – £120,000 per week
8. Matt Targett – £100,000 per week
9. Sven Botman – £90,000 per week
=10. Harvey Barnes – £80,000 per week
=10. Joe Willock – £80,000 per week
=10. Anthony Elanga – £80,000 per week
13. Dan Burn – £70,000 per week
14. Malick Thiaw – £66,000 per week
=15. Nick Pope – £60,000 per week
=15. Fabian Schar – £60,000 per week
17. Emil Krafth – £55,000 per week
18. Tino Livramento – £50,000 per week
=19. Martin Dubravka – £40,000 per week
=19. Jamaal Lascelles – £40,000 per week
21. Jacob Murphy – £35,000 per week
22. William Osula – £20,000 per week
=23. Mark Gillespie – £10,000 per week
=23. Harrison Ashby – £10,000 per week
25. Lewis Hall – £7,000 per week
26. Lewis Miley – £5,000 per week
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5