Eddie Howe has insisted Alexander Isak is not for sale and has labelled the Newcastle forward a ‘world-class talent’.
Isak scored his first Premier League hat-trick as Newcastle thrashed Ipswich Town 4-0 at Portman Road on Saturday. The Swedish striker has now scored nine goals in his last nine Premier League appearances.
His performances since arriving at St James’ Park have led to transfer speculation, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs reportedly interested in signing the 25-year-old.
Howe, however, laughed off speculation that Newcastle could cash in on the forward. He hailed Isak as a ‘world-class talent’ and said he hopes the striker can help the Magpies to a long-awaited major trophy.
“He is a world-class talent and the way he took his goals today, he has got that coolness in front of goal, that composure that very few players have,” Howe said after the win at Ipswich.
“When you add his other qualities into the mix, how quick he is, how technically gifted he is, for me, he has got it all.”
Asked whether Isak could be sold as Newcastle look to remain compliant with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Howe added: “There is no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go. He is very much part of our long-term plans and personally, I don’t see that being an issue.
“He is motivated and he wants to do well. He has got big aspirations with his career, still relatively young, so he has got hopefully a really bright future ahead of him.
“I know his desire to score goals is second to none. Every conversation I have had about Newcastle concerning his future with him has been very positive.
“I would love for him, with the other players, to be the man and team-mates to contribute towards us winning a trophy. That’s the aim.”
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