What Yasir Al-Rumayyan wants to happen next after PIF chief misses Alexander Isak meeting

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Newcastle United are stepping up their efforts to keep Alexander Isak at the club.

With the transfer window set to shut in less than a week, the likelihood of Alexander Isak staying at Newcastle United increases with each passing minute.

But he remains unavailable for the Magpies, missing Newcastle’s 3-2 loss to Liverpool on Monday night.

Earlier in the day, Isak met with Newcastle United officials to discuss his future. Jamie Reuben and Jacobo Solis visited the 25-year-old for talks, on a day that saw club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan arrive on Tyneside.

But while the PIF chief watched Newcastle’s defeat to Liverpool, he was not part of the meeting with Isak.

• Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer

Yasir Al-Rumayyan wants Alexander Isak back in the Newcastle United squad

A report from the Daily Mail has provided details on Al-Rumayyan’s stance on the Isak situation following the meeting between the club and the player.

According to the Daily Mail, the Newcastle United chairman is backing the efforts to keep Isak at the club and is keen for him to be reintegrated into Eddie Howe’s squad ‘as soon as possible’.

The Daily Mail add that the meeting between Reuben, Solis and Isak is being seen as a step in the right direction.

That is a huge positive, as Howe will be keen to welcome Isak back into the fold as soon as he can.

While it will be difficult for Isak to return, it is not beyond the realms of possibility. And with Newcastle unable to feasibly sign a replacement for him, selling him is out of the question.

If Isak stays, he will surely return to the fold. Sitting on the sidelines benefits no one, so it is encouraging that Newcastle officials have at least opened a dialogue with the player.

Could Alexander Isak return against Leeds United?

After losing to Liverpool, Newcastle’s next game is away to Leeds United on Saturday evening.

The Magpies face a challenging trip to Elland Road, where Leeds beat Everton on the opening weekend of the season.

To make matters more complicated for Howe, Anthony Gordon will be suspended for the game against Leeds. He will serve the first of a three-game ban following his red card against Liverpool.

That means Newcastle will need to change their striker on Saturday, but it will surely be too soon for Isak to make his return. While there is hope that he can eventually be reintegrated into the squad, it would come as a huge surprise if it happened in time for him to play against Leeds.

Instead, Howe will have to turn to Will Osula or ask Harvey Barnes or Anthony Elanga to play centrally.