Alexander Isak: Newcastle contract stance, Arsenal interest and star's transfer hint
Alexander Isak's contract still has more than three years to run at Newcastle, but talks over a new deal have stalled with Arsenal now circling for the Swedish striker
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorAlexander Isak's future looks set to become a major talking point over upcoming transfer windows.
Isak arrived at Newcastle three years ago and has become a key player, scoring 40 goals in 78 appearances. Last season, he became the first Toon star to register 20 or more goals in all competitions in a top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003/04.
The Swedish star's contract does not expire until 2028, but he is already keen to sign a new deal. Talks with Newcastle chiefs have stalled though, opening up the possibility that he could leave St James' Park.
Several top team would undoubtedly be interested in him, with the Gunners seen as the frontrunners. Here, Mirror Football takes a deep dive into where things stand on Isak's future.
Arsenal interest
Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Isak, even before he joined Newcastle. Those links have ramped up over the past month after it was reported that his talks with Newcastle had reached a stalemate.
The Gunners are likely to bring in a new forward either in January or in the summer as their title challenge falters, partly due to a lack of goals up-front. Club legend Paul Merson has also tipped Isak as their missing link.
“I’m surprised Arsenal didn’t try and break the bank for him over the summer, I think he was the missing link for Arsenal. I think he can do everything, he can come short, he gets in the box, he can spread the game," he said.
“That’s what Arsenal need, you need to spread the game so you can get players like [Martin] Odegaard and [Bukayo] Saka on the ball. At the moment Arsenal are a bit congested, they haven’t got a player like Isak. I’m a fan, I’m a really big fan."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Alexander Isak stay at Newcastle or move on? Comment below.
PSR issues lead to stalemate
Newcastle have been attempting to tie the striker down to a new deal for several months. But those negotiations appear to have broken down, with one of the main roadblocks to an agreement is Isak's demands to be made the club's top earner.
He also wants a release clause added to the deal in exchange for his signature. But the Magpies are facing another financial squeeze with owners the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund confirming they would be scaling back foreign investments.
Newcastle were able to splash the cash in the new regime's first couple of years but the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules now prevent them from spending freely on their playing squad.
The PIF are cutting overseas investments down to range between 18 and 20 percent, from a high of 30 percent as they prepare to fund the 2034 World Cup. That decision could force the purse strings to be kept tight until the football financial calendar resets at the end of June 2025.
Newcastle's stance
According to ChronicleLive, Newcastle chiefs are 'relaxed' over Isak's future and are not sweating on any imminent exit. The long-term plan remains to hand him a new deal and build a team around the striker.
The club see Isak as the future number 9 on Tyneside and they believe he has a genuine chance of beating Alan Shearer's club record of 206 goals if he stays. Boss Eddie Howe is keen to see the striker stay.
I think with Alex he's got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR. It's not a clearcut situation. Every decision we make as a football club has a knock-on effect," he said.
"We, of course, love Alex and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads of goals for us, but I don't see a short-term issue with his contract. At this moment in time, Alex just needs to focus on his football.
"Whether that is him saying, 'I'm fine. I've got four years left on my contract, I'm happy at the club and I just want to play my best football'. That is the ideal world. But, of course, nothing in football is straightforward, so I'm sure there will be ongoing discussions between Alex, his representatives and the club. Alex can only help his situation by playing well."
Isak hint
Isak himself insists he remains unbothered by links to Arsenal and is focused on his football. He spoke for the first time on his future on Tuesday, while away with Sweden on international duty.
“Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumours during the season," Isak told Fotboll Skanalen. "There have been many such years where it has been talked about.
"It doesn’t affect me. I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there. I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. There are still great opportunities for that.
"I have no thoughts about anything else. The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out. Much of what I read is not true. So that’s about all I can say about the whole thing.”
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