Eddie Howe has inadvertently stoked up further speculation about Alexander Isak’s Newcastle United future after the Magpies boss failed to completely rule out a summer exit for the center-forward.
Ahead of what looks set to be a busy transfer window for Europe’s elite sides, Isak has no shortage of admirers. Reports have indicated Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona could all be interested in signing the Sweden international, who has netted 62 goals across the last two campaigns.
However, Newcastle’s astronomical asking price looks set to end any interest early, with a reported fee of £150 million ($201M) needed to sign the former Real Sociedad frontman. That would be a British record transfer, probably proving too costly.
It perhaps explains why reports surrounding Isak’s future have gone quiet in recent weeks. But that might change following Howe’s comments on Sunday.
The 47-year-old was asked whether Isak will definitely be at St James’ Park next season and replied: “I never make those guarantees about any player.
“It’s not to do with Alex’s future; I’d be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.
“We want to keep our strongest players. I have said that as long as I’ve sat in this seat,” he continued.
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“We have to keep our strongest players and bring in more good players to make us stronger because of the ambition of the club and everybody connected with its long-term success. That’s the only way we can try to get that.”
Newcastle’s chances of keeping Isak and building towards the future would certainly be strengthened by the Magpies securing a Champions League spot for next season, but those aspirations took a hit on Sunday.
Without Isak, who was missing due to a groin injury, Newcastle fell to a 1-0 loss against Arsenal at Emirates, with Declan Rice grabbing the game’s only goal.
It leaves Newcastle third in the table, but tied with Chelsea and Aston Villa on 66 points. Should Manchester City win its midweek match against Bournemouth, it will overtake Newcastle heading into the season’s weekend.
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A defeat to Everton on Sunday could see the north-east side drop to seventh and miss out on a Champions League place.
As for Isak, should he remain an unattainable target, several other alternatives have been suggested. Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko have been reported as possible alternatives for Liverpool in the market, while Julian Alvarez, Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap have also been mentioned in reports
Given the abject form of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota of late, a new no.9 feels like a necessary component of Arne Slot’s summer rebuild. The pair have managed a combined two goals between them since the start of February.
