With just six days until the end of the transfer window remaining, Alexander Isak remains a man in limbo.
The 25-year-old has been the centre of the summer's biggest transfer saga, having made it abundantly clear he wants to leave Newcastle for Liverpool.
As things stand, it's unclear what will happen. Newcastle have already rejected one offer for their talisman and remain adamant he isn't for sale, especially this late. Liverpool, for their part, are continuing to work on a deal behind the scenes despite the obvious complexities involved.
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It has become a mess. On Monday, Liverpool saw off Newcastle in a five-goal thriller - with teenage talent Rio Ngumoha coming off the bench to score the winner in stoppage time in his Premier League debut.
Newcastle could copy Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo tactic in order to keep Alexander Isak out of Liverpool's clutches
|PA
Isak wasn't present at the ground. But he remained the centre of attention, with managers Eddie Howe and Arne Slot forced to answer questions on the former Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund star both before and after the game.
Howe admitted he wanted clarity. The club need it. If Isak is to go, they need to bring in two replacements. If he stays, he needs to return to action as quickly as possible, especially with Anthony Gordon now poised to miss the next three matches through suspension after his dismissal last night.
As the clock continues to tick down, it's unclear what will ultimately happen.
However, a gentleman's agreement - like the one Manchester United made with Cristiano Ronaldo back in the summer of 2008 - could potentially suit all parties.
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That year, Ronaldo's future was the summer's big talking point.
He had just propelled United to a Premier League and Champions League double, netting a sensational 42 goals across all competitions to establish himself as their main man ahead of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
Two years previously, Ronaldo had been eyeing a move to Real Madrid after clashing with Rooney at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In the end, after much persuasion from Sir Alex Ferguson, he decided to stay at Old Trafford.
In 2008, however, Ronaldo felt he couldn't say no to Real for a second time. They were his dream club, the one he'd always pictured himself playing for.
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Sir Alex Ferguson made Cristiano Ronaldo stay at Manchester United back in 2008
|GETTY
Ronaldo, for a while, sulked. Ultimately, Ferguson intervened again - striking a gentleman's agreement with his No 7. One more year of service and he'd get his move in 2009, so long as he knuckled down and stayed professional.
The Portugal international did exactly that. With 26 more goals for the Red Devils, he fired them to a third league title on the trot.
United also reached the Champions League final again that year, only to be totally outplayed by Pep Guardiola's stunning Barcelona team as they won the treble under the Spaniard at the first time of asking.
When Real came calling again, Ronaldo was granted his wish immediately. Finally, the saga was over.
But this is what Howe and Newcastle must now try and do with Isak.
He is unlikely to change his mind about wanting to leave for a new challenge - and Liverpool specifically. His decision has already been made.
Yet there remains a feasible scenario that if Newcastle strike an agreement with Isak, much like United did with Ronaldo, then all parties would benefit.
Newcastle would get another year with their best player. Given what they've already achieved together, and how early in the season it is, they could potentially scale new heights. Last night's display against Liverpool, certainly, suggests they're still a force to be reckoned with.
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Eddie Howe wants 'clarity' over Alexander Isak's future following Newcastle's defeat to Liverpool | PALiverpool would then get Isak next year for the £150million Newcastle want. He still has three years left on his current deal, meaning they can stick to their asking price in 12 months' time. Affording him next year, right at the start of the summer, would unlikely be a problem.
Then Isak himself would get the move he wants. He could bow out a hero, with his reputation intact. Right now, if he was to go, that wouldn't be the case.
How the saga ends remains to be seen. The Ronaldo tactic could, however, be the key to it all.