Alexander Isak has refused to rule out extending his contract at Newcastle United despite reported interest from clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Swedish striker has been one of the Magpies’ standout performer this season and has scored 22 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions, including 19 strikes in 25 Premier League outings.
Since moving to St James’ Park from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m in August 2022, Isak has found the net 57 times in 99 appearances for Newcastle, and he recently became the seventh-fastest player in Premier League history to score 50 goals in the division, doing so after 76 games.
Isak’s exceptional form in front of goal has understandably caught the eye of a number of top European teams, with Liverpool and Arsenal two clubs who have recently been heavily linked with a big-money summer swoop for the 25-year-old.
Arsenal are known to be in the market for a new centre-forward who they hope can take them to the next level and end their wait of more than two decades to win the Premier League title, while this season’s champions-elect Liverpool have allegedly identified Isak as an upgrade on Darwin Nunez.
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Isak addresses Newcastle future, contract talks amid Liverpool, Arsenal interest
Liverpool will lock horns with Newcastle in Sunday’s intriguing EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium where Isak is set to make his 100th appearance for the Magpies.
Ahead of the contest, Isak refused to be drawn on speculation about his future and is focused on helping Newcastle end their painful 70-year trophy drought.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Isak said. “This club can achieve great things. I think we should really look at it one season at a time and this season we can achieve winning a trophy which would be amazing for everyone.
“About my future, it’s nothing really I think about. I’ve said many times during a season – just focus on the job – and now is probably the worst time to think about anything else, so all of our focus is just on Sunday and doing good and hopefully bringing the trophy back to Newcastle.”
Asked if he is open to extending his contract at St James’ Park this summer, one that still has more than three years left to run, Isak added: “I’ve said I’m not really thinking about the summer, but yes, that’ll probably be a talking point once the season is finished.
“We will really see because no talks have been held yet.”
Eddie Howe‘s side are understood to have no interest in selling Isak and Newcastle CEO Darren Eales recently stated that it would be “crazy” for the Magpies to even consider parting ways with any of their star players.
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Isak reacts to “dramatic” injury reports ahead of EFL Cup final
In recent weeks, there have been concerns about Isak’s fitness, with the striker missing Newcastle’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool at the end of last month before leaving the pitch early, before extra time began, in the Magpies’ FA Cup loss to Brighton a fortnight ago due to fatigue.
Isak has since reassured Newcastle supporters that he is fit and raring to go on Sunday, and has labelled the media’s reports about his fitness as “dramatic”.
“I have not been injured I have just had a bit of tiredness. It has been dramatic,” Isak told Chronicle Live. “I feel good. I am really excited for the game.
“The best way to prepare is to train as normal. It will come down to what we do as a team, and that is all we can focus on. I am excited but focused on the job.
“I just want to be the best version of myself. I have high ambitions. I am trying to create my own history at Newcastle.
“Happy with what I have done so far but always looking forward. It’s hard work and training and the mentality to want to get better. I have ambitions to achieve in my career and be the best version of myself.”
Isak is hoping to impress on Sunday and has already scored two goals in the EFL Cup this season, netting in a 2-0 fourth-round win over Chelsea before scoring against Arsenal in the first leg of Newcastle’s impressive 4-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.
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