As a self-confessed Liverpool fan, Michael Owen could’ve very easily followed so many pundits in discussing where Alexander Isak will end up this summer – not why he could happily stay put at Newcastle United.
But, to his credit, our former club record signing’s assessment of the Swede’s future and his importance at Newcastle is fair and accurate as we edge closer to the summer.
I expected a Liverpool agenda and the same media spin we’ve seen for months on end, yet his comments sum up the situation and his importance to Newcastle’s ambitious plans very well.
Speaking on [talkSPORT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z733gcibewY&ab_channel=talkSPORT) this week, Michael Owen discussed the PSR issues that have held Newcastle back and the key factors that could see Alexander Isak stay on Tyneside this summer.
Despite acknowledging the inevitable interest, the 45-year-old points out that Isak is tied down to a long-term contract and at a club just a few quality signings away from competing at the very top.
He also makes the valid point that Isak’s ‘elite’ qualities would outweigh signing four ‘£30m players’ who could arrive in the event of a big-money sale, insisting ‘special players’ like him are needed to take us to that next level.
Here’s what Owen had to say in full:
> _“Eddie Howe has done incredibly well to keep that momentum going even though they’ve not been able to splash the cash like they wanted to._
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> _“They have a huge asset in Isak. Everyone’s going to be chasing him, but Newcastle will do everything to keep him – and they already have. They’ve got him on a long-term contract (until 2028)._
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> _“They want to add to those great players they’ve got and the trophy may be the first of many; Newcastle bursting back into the elite again would be great and could happen; but to do that they need to keep their elite players, as it feels like there is real momentum there._
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> _“Incredibly important to keep him and add to that squad. It can be improved in areas and it needs to be improved to compete with the elite, but they are well on their way.”_
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> _“From Newcastle’s point of view they simply cannot let him go. Selling (Isak) would put Newcastle in massive financial credit, but for what? They can get £150m for him and spend £120m on four £30m players, but you prefer Isak. He is the one who is going to bounce you into that elite level. Getting three or our players is not enough._
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> _“You need special players, look at Liverpool this year, they’ve got the best centre-half, one of the best attackers in Mo Salah. They (Liverpool) got the best goalkeeper, you have to have the very elite players to compete._
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> _“He is one you’ve just got to build your team around, they’ve already got a really strong midfield and with Isak up front you’ve got half a chance.”_
We can talk about the huge sum of money we’d receive should Isak depart, but replacing him would be one hell of a task.
20-goal per season strikers are so hard to come by, never mind one that links the play, drifts wide, runs at defences and scores all types of goals.
Some would argue that three £50m signings could add to our team more than one £150m Alexander Isak. However, with our PSR position much improved and money already in place to pursue upgrades at centre-back and down the right wing, a sale is not needed to invest.
Instead, we must sign rom a position of strength, build around Isak and add to what we’ve got; not spend millions trying to fix what would be a huge gap in our attack without the Swede.