Newcastle United have paused contract negotiations with Alexander Isak after the striker rejected an recent contract offer from the Magpies, according to a report from Caught Offside.
The outlet states that sources close to the situation confirmed the 25-year-old has not responded positively to the club’s latest proposal, prompting Newcastle to reassess their approach with their best player while carefully trying to keep him in tow for longer than his current deal dictates.
According to the report, talks between both sides are expected to resume later this year, but the delay comes amid growing interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, both of whom view Isak as a top target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Isak has scored 23 goals and added five assists across all competitions this season, playing a central role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory and European qualification while NUFC keep working on climbing higher up the Premier League table before the season is over. Despite the club’s insistence that Isak remains under a long-term deal and is not for sale, his refusal to accept the latest terms has raised uncertainty about his future in Tyneside.
Caught Offside reports that Arsenal, in fact, see Isak as a priority signing ahead of next season while Liverpool’s situation with Mohamed Salah’s expiring contract could also lead them into the market, potentially aiming at snatching Isak from their Carabao Cups foes.
In a more positive note, to whatever extent you consider it so, the report also mentions that Newcastle are monitoring Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres as a potential successor should Isak depart, immediately investing part of that bounty in the Portuguese league goal score.