Newcastle’s Alexander Isak Unlikely to Leave as Arsenal’s Quest for a New Striker Hits a Wall
In a significant blow to Arsenal’s transfer plans, Newcastle has shown no interest in parting ways with striker Alexander Isak. The club believes Isak, who has become a cornerstone of their team, can help them achieve their ambitions and has no intention of selling him anytime soon.
Newcastle’s Resolute Stance
Newcastle have made it clear that they wish to build their team around Isak. The Swedish forward’s contract is worth £130,000 per week until 2028, and the club has no desire to offer him an exit for anything less than a substantial profit. The proposed asking price stands at approximately £166 million, more than double the reported £82.9 million.
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This figure would make Isak the second most expensive player ever transferred between Premier League teams, surpassed only by Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG for £198 million in 2017 and ahead of Kylian Mbappé’s £163 million transfer from Monaco to PSG in 2018.
Alexander Isak’s Rise to Fame
Since his record-breaking £63 million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak has emerged as one of the most sought-after players globally. He achieved a milestone not seen at Newcastle for two decades in the 2023-24 season when he scored 20 Premier League goals, making him the first player since Alan Shearer to accomplish this feat. This season, he has already netted 17 goals in the top-flight, adding to his reputation. Isak is also set to play a pivotal role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Urgent Need
Arsenal, suffering from a striker shortage, has harbored a long-term interest in Isak. Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a world-class forward and believes securing Isak could be crucial for achieving their Premier League title ambitions. However, with Newcastle demanding such a high fee, Arsenal faces an uphill battle to land the Swedish star.
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While Arsenal remains interested, their efforts will likely focus on other potential targets due to the prohibitive cost of Isak’s transfer.
Competing Interests
Newcastle’s reluctance to sell Isak has not deterred other Premier League clubs, particularly considering his performances. Liverpool and Chelsea are also eyeing the Swedish forward, but both face the same high transfer fee obstacle. Despite interest from multiple high-profile clubs, Newcastle is committed to keeping Isak as part of their squad.
