Newcastle United's Alexander Isak
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak
Former Newcastle United star Yohan Cabaye has told his old club they must do everything in their power to keep hold of Alexander Isak - despite his current club Paris St Germain being linked with the striker.
Isak has been a revelation this season, scoring 27 goals including the winner in the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle ended 56 years of hurt to lift their first piece of major silverware since 1969. The Magpies are also chasing Champions League qualification.
Isak's form has dipped a little in recent weeks, but he remains the jewel in the crown on Tyneside. Newcastle are in no mood to let the Swedish superstar leave this summer, despite speculation linking him with a host of clubs, including Arsenal, PSG, Liverpool and Barcelona.
With a £150million valuation on his head, clubs would have to stump up serious money even if United were tempted to sell. But Cabaye - who is now assistant academy director at French giants PSG - has told the Magpies that they must do everything in their power to keep hold of him.
"Isak is probably the ideal signing as a striker, but it would be a huge blow for Newcastle to lose him," Cabaye told listofsweepstakescasinos.com.
"I think it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to sign him, because Newcastle will do everything they can to keep him, and I think they have to do everything they can to keep him. But definitely, it would be a fantastic coup for Arsenal if they sign Isak.
"It would be a huge blow (if Newcastle lost him). It will be difficult for Arsenal to sign him because I think that Newcastle will do everything to keep him or in my opinion must do everything to keep him."
Cabaye made 79 appearances for Newcastle before being sold to PSG for £19m, having cost a bargain £4m. The playmaker had helped guide the Magpies into Europe under Alan Pardew, but with the Mike Ashley reign also focused on bringing in players from abroad and selling them on, he was eventually sold mid-season despite being a crowd favourite on Tyneside.
The former midfielder, however, believes that now Newcastle are in a position where they can keep hold of their best players - not just Isak but captain Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
"It would be a big loss for Newcastle United to lose either of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes," he added. "Isak’s important because he scores so many goals. Bruno, too, as we’ve seen recently and throughout the season, can be a goal threat too.
"I hope they keep both of them because the ambition of the project is clear, and they will have the Champions League again next season, almost certainly.
"Sandro Tonali is also linked with a move away, but I’m not sure if Newcastle have to sell someone. I know that every club has to take into account issues of money, but I’m not sure the club will need to sell anyone.
"Tonali, too, is a really good player, really important. Maybe he’ll want to return to his country at some point, but if they keep all these players for next season, it’s a really positive step."