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Eddie Howe hits back Alexander Isak contract & Arsenal claim after Newcastle United hat-trick

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick after the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick after the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Eddie Howe laughed off the prospect of ‘world-class’ Alexander Isak leaving Newcastle United during the January transfer window.

Isak scored a hat-trick in the Magpies’ 4-0 victory at Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, taking his total to 43 goals in 84 matches since joining from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63million in August 2022.

Speculation surrounding Isak’s future has become a regular occurrence with Arsenal often the go-to name. That is largely fuelled by the club’s pressures to comply Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) - but Howe doesn’t envisage a scenario when the Swede leaves the club next month.

“Makes me laugh! Yeah absolutely,” Howe said when asked if he wanted to keep Isak. “There's no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go. He's very much part of our long-term plans. Personally, I don't see that being an issue.

“Every conversation I’ve had concerning his future with him has been very positive. I’d love, for him, with the other players to be the man that contributes to us winning a trophy, that’s the aim.”

It was suggested earlier in the season that contract talks between Isak, whose deal runs until 2028, and Newcastle had stalled. When that was put to Howe, the United boss hit back.

“I don’t think contract talks started, I think that’s the issue,” Howe responded. “If you are going to say they stalled when they never started that’s a problem! He has a long contract and I’m sure when the time comes that will be discussed Alex’s representatives and the football club but I don’t really know too much more than that.

I don’t think necessarily at this stage we have to [convince him his future lies at Newcastle].”He’s motivated, wants to do well and has big aspirations with his career. He still relatively young so he has hopefully got a really bright future ahead of him - his desire to score goals is second to none.”

In Isak, Howe agrees Newcastle possess a world class talent.

“Yeah absolutely, he is a world-class talent,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “The way he took his goals today, he's got that coolness in front of goal and composure that very few players have. And then you add his other qualities into the mix - how quick he is and how technically gifted he is. For me, he's got it all.

“He is very different. I think he's got unique skills and I think the challenge for us this season has been able to try and get him into the game as much as we can. Early season we weren't doing that as a team or functioning particularly well for him.

“Obviously he plays a part in that as well, it's not one dimensional but we've seen in recent weeks the team functioning and performing much better and giving him more ball around the box, then it's about his natural ability taking over and I think he's playing with real confidence now. We're seeing a return to his very best levels, highlighted by the goals he's scoring really.”

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