Alexander Isak has no intention of playing for Newcastle again, with the striker reported to have informed Eddie Howe of his desire to leave last season.Isak remains out of contention for Newcastle heading into the new campaign and will not play a part in Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reports that the Swedish striker is “adamant” he will never represent the club again after communicating his plan to leave months ago.Ornstein writes that Isak “has no desire to reintegrate into the squad,” which contrasts with a later, hopeful update from colleague Chris Waugh who writes that Howe will be hoping to “coax him back around.”For the player himself, the matter is set, and it is maintained that Isak informed Howe of his intention to leave before last season ended.This came following then-director of football Paul Mitchell telling the 25-year-old’s representatives last summer that he would not yet be offered a new contract.It was then decided that the 2024/25 campaign would be his last at St James’ Park and it has been suggested since that a feeling of promises not being kept has motivated Isak to force a transfer. Liverpool are, of course, waiting in the wings following their unsuccessful first bid for Newcastle‘s No. 14, which was worth around £110 million.Newcastle value Isak at £150 million and it is widely reported that they would need to sign two strikers – to replace their leading centre-forward as well as Callum Wilson – before allowing him to leave for a fee in that region.The transfer window closes on September 1 and the expectation remains that Isak will be a Liverpool player before the 7pm deadline.Another wrinkle in the story comes with Liverpool heading to Tyneside for their second game of the new Premier League season on August 25.It stands to reason that Newcastle may look to delay any deal for Isak until after that date so as not to strengthen the champions’ chances of taking three points from St James’ Park.There would still be a week to go until the window closes after that game, by which point Newcastle would clearly hope to have signed their new main striker.Chelsea‘s Nicolas Jackson, Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Wolves‘ Jorgen Strand Larsen, Aston Villa‘s Ollie Watkins and PSG’s Goncalo Ramos have all been mentioned as targets, while Brentford‘s Yoane Wissa is considered their likely Wilson replacement.