Dietmar Hamann believes Newcastle stands a better chance of keeping Alexander Isak this summer following its Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
Isak was on the scoresheet at Wembley as the Magpies claimed their first major trophy in nearly 70 years. The Swedish international’s strike continued what has been a superb season, with only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland having scored more Premier League goals than him.
That form has led to speculation linking him with a move away from St James’ Park. Liverpool has been linked, with the Reds being urged to sign a new striker to replace Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, while Arsenal has also been touted as a possible destination.
Newcastle is already preparing itself for any approaches for its prized asset. The club’s chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, is said to have instructed his hierarchy to resist any offers, while it’s also suggested the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment fund is ‘adamant’ that his personal favorite player won’t depart at the end of the campaign and an asking price has not even been discussed internally.
And former midfielder Hamann, who played for both Liverpool and Newcastle during his career, thinks the Magpies chances of keeping Isak have now been boosted.
Asked whether the win at Wembley means Newcastle will keep its squad intact for another year, Hamann told Best Betting Sites: “It probably gives you a better chance because, at the end of the day, the players want to get paid well, but they want to win trophies, and I think it will be hugely important to get in the Champions League because that’s where the best players want to play.
“What it does when you win a trophy, it creates an awful lot of trust within the team, because you know when the chips are down, you can trust the man next to you.
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“And I think this is what a team is all about. And when you’ve got that, anything is possible. So, I expect them to finish in the top five, which will be enough.
“I think the Carabao Cup win was huge because it brings people together, it makes you believe that you can beat the best teams in big games. In every respect, in terms of mentality, and belief that you can win, it was absolutely huge lifting that trophy.”
Liverpool.com says: A move for Isak is always going to be a longshot not just for Liverpool. Newcastle will – rightfully so – demand a huge fee for the striker, considering he is the best No.9 after Haaland in the Premier League, and some would argue he actually offers more than the Manchester City star.
A Carabao Cup doesn’t automatically mean he’s now more likely to stay at Newcastle – in fact, it maybe makes it easier for him to leave, knowing that he’s now cemented his place in the club’s history. As Hamann suggests, securing Champions League football might be the thing that makes Isak’s mind up, and the Magpies still have some work to do on that front.
