Eddie Howe and Alexander Isak
Image credit: Getty Images
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has firmly stated the club’s commitment to keeping Alexander Isak amid reports linking the Swedish striker with a move to Arsenal.
Isak, who joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63 million in 2022, has been in prolific form this season. The 24-year-old took his Premier League tally to 10 goals with a sensational hat-trick in Newcastle’s 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly in the market for a new striker and remain admirers of Isak. However, Howe insists the forward is integral to Newcastle’s future plans.
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“We absolutely want to keep Alex at the football club,” Howe said. “There’s no part of me, or anybody 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.”
Arsenal - Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak scored a hat-trick against Ipswich on Saturday (Image credit: Getty Images)
When asked if he felt the need to convince Isak to stay, Howe dismissed the idea. “I don’t think necessarily at this stage that we have to. He is motivated and wants to do well. He has big aspirations for his career. He’s still relatively young and has a bright future ahead of him,” Howe said.
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The Newcastle manager also praised Isak’s mentality and hunger for success. “I know his desire to score goals is second to none. Every conversation I’ve had with him about his future has been very positive. I’d love for him, and other players, to be the ones who contribute to us winning a trophy. That is the aim.”
The speculation surrounding Isak comes as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces questions about his attacking options. Arsenal suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in November, with Isak scoring the decisive goal—a towering 14th-minute header over Gabriel Magalhães.
Despite the loss, Arteta has dismissed the notion that Arsenal lack a traditional striker like Isak. “I love my players and wouldn’t change them for anybody else,” Arteta said when asked about his squad’s attacking capabilities.
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