Newcastle could record their fourth win of the season over Arsenal on Sunday
Eddie Howe insisted he is prepared to strengthen squad in the summer window
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By CRAIG HOPE
Published: 08:10 EDT, 16 May 2025 | Updated: 08:11 EDT, 16 May 2025
Eddie Howe has expressed frustration at his stars being linked with the likes of Arsenal, a team Newcastle have beaten three times this season.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are both admired by the Gunners and talk of summer offers has ran for several months.
The two teams meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with the winner likely to finish as runners-up to Liverpool.
Newcastle won there in the Carabao Cup semi-final in January – they also beat them in the return leg and at home in the Premier League – and Howe believes his club are now a rival for the top sides, not a stepping stone towards them.
’It (the speculation) gets back to me,’ he said. ‘And it is a frustration, because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs.
‘I'd like to think the players are happy here. I'd like to think that they're seeing us grow and develop into a team that hopefully can compete at the top end of the division. We have no divine right to do that, but I think we're going in the right direction.’
Eddie Howe vented his frustration with speculation linking his key players with moves away from Newcastle
Alexander Isak has been reported as a summer target for several Premier League clubs
The Magpies face Arsenal on Sunday having defeated Mikel Arteta's side three times this season
Newcastle have not signed a first-team starter in three transfer windows because of PSR restrictions, and in that time their squad has been weakened.
Howe hopes that the arrival of new faces this summer will help prove their ambition to those already at the club, and says there is no excuse for that not being the case.
‘There’s no doubt what the club's ambition is,’ he said. ‘The ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR, but those issues aren't there for the coming window. So I don't see any reason why we can't strengthen, not weaken ourselves.’
Howe also believes it could be time for the club to break what has been a soft salary cap, be that to reward current players or attract targets. There is an expectation that a new contract will be discussed with Isak.
‘From my perspective, and I’m not in control of the finances, it all depends on the individual case,’ he said. ‘There is not a blanket, “No, we’re not going to break that”. Or, “Yes, we are”. It depends on the individual and if the individual is worth doing that with, then I think you need to consider it and maybe implement it. But you have to be aware that every decision you make has a consequence, so you have to think that through carefully.’
But Howe added: ‘Players want to be at a club that is ambitious and moving forward and has a chance to win trophies. Wages and financial terms are also a big thing for players. Under our PSR constraints, that's been an issue historically. So that will be the thing that we have to satisfy our players, and the market will sort of dictate what that looks like.’