Newcastle United may have a tough time keeping Alexander Isak at the club this summer.
The Swede is undoubtedly the Magpies’ star player, and his performances have propelled his side into Champions League qualification contention.
Alexander Isak has scored 22 goals in all competitions this campaign, including 19 Premier League goals. However, there are fears that he could leave in the summer if Newcastle United fail to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.
Recent reports have suggested that Liverpool could sign Isak in the summer, with the intention of having the Swede replace Mohamed Salah who looks likely to depart the Premier League leaders on a free at the end of the season.
Liverpool want to offer Darwin Nunez to Newcastle to sweeten the deal for Isak, but few within the club or the fanbase would be willing to entertain that move.
In reality, it would take a gargantuan fee to allow Isak to leave Newcastle this summer but recent words from David Ornstein have reflected why Eddie Howe should be less confident of keeping Isak at the club past the upcoming transfer window.
READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Liverpool’s concrete interest in Alexander Isak
Isak is in line to play against Liverpool in the upcoming Carabao Cup final in March, the Magpies will travel to Wembley for the second time in three seasons with the hope that the agonising wait for a trophy will come to an end.
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In recent weeks, there have been concerns about Isak’s fitness and fears that he may miss the final having gone off with injury in Newcastle’s defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup. However, Isak was spotted at Newcastle’s training ground in good spirits and moving well ahead of the trip to the capital.
Taking part in his Q&A for the Athletic, Ornstein was asked which attackers Liverpool are interested in.
“They will obviously have multiple options on their radar, but the only name I’ve personally heard of so far — which others have already reported — is Alexander Isak,” he said.
“Liverpool aren’t alone in liking the Swede. We know Mikel Arteta wants to sign him, Chelsea and Barcelona have also been linked, and I’m sure many other sides would be keen, too, if the opportunity arose.
“But that’s a big ‘if’. Newcastle have no intention of selling their best player and, understandably, don’t welcome this kind of conversation. Isak has more than three years left on his existing contract, he is very well paid, and there’s no financial requirement for the St James’ Park hierarchy to cash in.
“Now, every player has their price and while I’m not aware of Newcastle specifically setting one for Isak, the number that seems to circulate around the industry is something like £150million. Perhaps if teams are prepared to make such eye-watering offers there’s a conversation to be had, but Newcastle hold the aces here and their plan will be to build with, rather than without, him.
“Liverpool are only going to consider making a move if Isak is genuinely available; they’re not the type of club to engage in a wild goose chase. But I do think (sorry to say this, Newcastle fans) his future will be one of the big talking points heading into and during the summer transfer window.”
Newcastle are eager to deter interest Premier League rivals have in Isak. Sporting director Paul Mitchell will commence contract talks with Isak at the end of the season once their plans for the 2025/26 campaign are more transparent.
What Alexander Isak must do until the end of the season for Newcastle
While speculation over his future at Newcastle circles around Isak has been a model professional, letting his work on the pitch do the talking rather than letting it all get to him.
Isak wants Champions League football at Newcastle – he genuinely believes that the Magpies can finish in the top four and return to the big stage next season.
Newcastle are currently sixth in the Premier League table but can move further up the table if other results go their way.
Fourth-place Manchester City travel to third-place Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a positive result for Forest could make Man City vulnerable ahead of Newcastle’s game. Elsewhere, fifth-place Chelsea host Leicester City.
With 11 games left in the Premier League season, it’s still all to play for in the Champions League race – Isak must ensure he stays as fit as possible to help the Magpies get back to where those within the club believe they should be.