Newcastle hatch plan to scupper Arsenal’s pursuit of Alexander Isak
Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in the striker.
Newcastle are ready to renegotiate the terms of Alexander Isak’s contract in order to keep the striker at the club and fend off Arsenal’s advances ahead of the summer transfer window.
Despite struggling with injury problems across his two opening seasons with Newcastle, Isak, 24, has scored 31 goals in 61 games and quickly established himself as a fan favourite amongst the St James’ Park faithful.
This term, Isak has netted 17 times in the Premier League to put himself in the mix for the Golden Boot, with only four players outscoring the Sweden international.
Isak’s eye-catching performances are believed to have attracted the attention of Arsenal and Tottenham and reports earlier this month claimed both north London clubs were preparing to launch £100million moves for the forward.
However, Eddie Howe has repeatedly stressed that Isak is not for sale and the Magpies are set to do everything in their power to convince the ex-Real Sociedad man to stay put beyond the end of the campaign.
According to talkSPORT, Isak could lose up to 20 per cent of his wages should sixth-placed Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League due to a clause in his contract inserted by the club’s former sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The Toon are therefore keen to tie their star man down with a new and improved deal to prevent his head from being turned, with Barcelona also credited with an interest with the attacker this month.
Isak’s current contract, which he signed on arrival in the north east, runs through to 2028.
In an interview with the i earlier this month, Isak insisted he ‘feels at home’ at Newcastle and remained fully focused on seeing out a successful end to the season.
‘Yeah, of course I want to be here in the future,’ Isak said.
‘I came here for the project, I absolutely love playing here, I really feel at home.
‘I want to finish this season in a good way for me and the team. I love playing here.’
Pressed on whether his future could hinge on Newcastle’s success in qualifying for Europe, the sought-after Swede responded: ‘I don’t want to entertain these type of questions and rumours.
‘It’s not my position. I love playing, we have important games, there’s no focus there [on my future].
‘I just want to do good for the team.’
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