Alexander Isak has penned a classy message following Newcastle United's 1-0 defeat to Everton. The 25-year-old striker, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal for quite some time now, starred at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon as the Magpies secured qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
Isak, who sees his contract at St. James' Park expire in June 2028, featured 34 times in the Premier League this season, scoring 23 goals and also providing six assists. Playing an important role in Eddie Howe's side, he helped Newcastle finish fifth place on 66 points.
Fortunately for the Magpies, Aston Villa lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day of the season. After the defeat to Everton, St. James' Park celebrated their return to Europe's marquee competition.
Isak marked the occasion with a celebratory post on Instagram, which eclipsed 100,000 likes by Monday morning. He wrote: "Champions League secured! What a season it's been. Grateful for the immense support throughout the year! HWTL."
With Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his attacking options this summer, Isak had been mooted as a potential target for Arsenal. But, with Newcastle back in the Champions League, the Gunners have now been dealt a blow to their hopes of securing the Swede's signature.
Speaking to reporters in his post-match press conference, Howe was quizzed on his plans for the upcoming transfer window. The Magpies could earn €100m (£84m) from playing in the European top-flight next season.
"It's difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it's a window that we have to be active in and I'm sure we will be," said the Newcastle manager. "We haven't recruited strongly in three windows.
"I think, eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change - because change is an important part of the squad dynamic.
"I think we feel that and I think we potentially felt that last summer as well, so I think that's why the players have done so well to carry the success through. Yes, it is going to be a big transfer window."
Earlier this month, Howe provided a direct update on Isak's future in Tyneside. Speaking with reporters ahead of Newcastle's trip to the Amex Stadium to play Brighton, Howe was asked if the Swede was 'for sale' this summer. The Magpies boss' said: "He's not for sale from my perspective.
"I want to build a squad, I want the strongest squad possible for next season. There is a lot to look forward to here, hopefully. The end of the season is crucial for us.
"I think that we have a strong squad and,if we can add players for the first time in a few windows, that will make a massive, massive difference for us. That's what I'm focusing on, not the other way around."
Howe added: "We want to keep our best players. I think I've made that very clear. That's not just the wish from me, that's the wish from everyone at the club. I don't have a crystal ball.
"I can't sit here and say what's going to happen. I can only say what my determination is, and that's to build a team, the best team possible and to do that you can't consistently lose your best players."
Then, a couple of weeks later, following Newcastle's 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, football.london asked Howe if Isak will definitely stay. He said: "I never make those guarantees about any player.
"It's not to do with Alex's future, I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that. We want to keep our strongest players. I have said that as long as I've sat in this seat.
"We have to keep our strongest players and also bring in more good players to make us stronger, because of the ambition of the club and everybody connected with its long-term success.
"That's the only way we can try to get that..."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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