Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on
Alexander Isak now has fresh impetus to snub Arsenal and stay at Newcastle United
Newcastle United know the Carabao Cup win against Liverpool has started the beginning of a new era on Tyneside. Aside from bringing and end to a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, Eddie Howe's side also secured a return to European football next season and won the first piece of silverware under their current ownership.
The Magpies are no longer the 'nearly' boys. They're winners. And that could play a huge part in future transfer negotiations and contract negotiations with key players ahead of next season.
The Toon were already able to tie Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Martin Dubravka and Emil Krafth down to new deals this season, but there's one key contract extension supporters are clamouring for and that's Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker is one of, if not the best striker in the world right now and continued his rich vein of form this season with the decisive goal in the cup final win over Liverpool.
Isak scored a brilliant goal to put the Magpies two goals to the good at Wembley, showing he has what it takes to deliver in high-pressure moments. The Toon's stance this summer is clear, he's not for sale and they want to negotiate a new deal with the 25-year-old.
The euphoria and celebration of Newcastle securing their first domestic trophy in 70 years should only whet his appetite for more silverware success at St James' Park.
Few fans in football would have been as ecstatic as those at Wembley on Sunday after winning the League Cup, and judging by the post-match scenes, the Newcastle players were acutely aware of it. Howe's squad would have felt the relief of finally ending the long trophy drought.
The burning question now is what heights this Newcastle squad can reach following their recent triumph. Despite transfer speculation linking Isak with the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona, this recent trophy win only strengthens the Magpies' hand when it comes to negotiations this summer.
It puts them ahead of the Gunners in terms of recent silverware, bolstering their confidence to vie for more titles next term. The Magpies' appeal has soared post-Sunday's final, making them a hotter ticket in the football world.
While Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules pose limitations, who's to say Newcastle can't contend for the Premier League crown next season with astute summer signings? Isak may be eyeing new horizons, yet the promise of progress following their League Cup victory will only tempt him further to extend his stay at St James' Park.
This speculation follows Isak's own comments prior to Sunday's showdown, hinting that his aspirations are being met with the Toon. "That's why I came here. As I have said, I am not really thinking about the summer yet," he said.
"I have said many times that I don't really think too much about my future. I have said many times I am happy here and we are competing for titles which is what you want as a football player. We have been to one final and now we are in another one."
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