Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales has warned potential suitors that Alexander Isak still has a number of years left on his contract and claimed that talks over an extension are planned at the end of the season.
Isak has enjoyed an exceptional campaign with the Magpies, scoring 19 Premier League goals while also helping fire his side into the final of the EFL Cup against Liverpool.
The Reds are one of the sides credited with an interest in the striker, though they may face fierce competition from Arsenal, who have been linked with a host of forwards across Europe.
However, the i report that Newcastle CEO Eales has insisted the club are under no pressure to sell Isak, saying: “The reality is that all of our players are under long-term deals. They’re committed to the club. So, from that perspective, we’re not looking to move any player on.
“We’ve got an ownership that is ambitious [and] wants the best for the club. So from that perspective, it’d be crazy for us to consider it.”
Isak’s Newcastle contract lasts until 2028 and with suggestions that the Toon could demand a transfer fee in excess of £100m, a buying club would be making a significant and perhaps risky commitment.
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Should Arsenal sign Isak?
Having lost Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to hamstring injuries, as well as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to long-term injuries this season, it would not be surprising if Arsenal added a forward to their ranks in the summer.
The Gunners have only scored 51 goals in the Premier League – the fifth best return in the top flight – and found themselves unable to break the deadlock against Nottingham Forest on February 26.
Mikel Arteta narrowly missed out on Premier League titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and fans believe that a striker would finally help the Spaniard get the Londoners over the line.
However, considering Arsenal have only created the eighth most xG in the Premier League (42.2), perhaps the Gunners would be better served if they found ways of adding more creativity to the team.
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Should Liverpool sign Isak?
Darwin Nunez was brought to Anfield for a fee that could rise to £85m in the summer of 2022-23, and despite showing promise at times in 2023-24, he has undoubtedly taken a step backwards this season.
Diogo Jota has been boss Arne Slot‘s preferred number nine, but the Portuguese forward has often been beset by injury issues, and that has led the Dutch manager to start winger Luis Diaz in central positions.
Isak would come in and immediately claim the starting spot, but there is an argument that Liverpool cannot afford to spend a significant outlay on one player given they do not know how many signings they will need in the summer.
Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of the season, and the club may need to spread their transfer funds across multiple positions.
