Newcastle United FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
There is interest in Alexander Isak from Premier League big-hitters (Picture: Getty Images)
Alan Shearer is ‘pretty certain’ Alexander Isak will still be at Newcastle United next season, despite interest in the striker from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for the Magpies, enjoying his most productive season since moving to England.
The Sweden international scored 23 Premier League goals and 27 in all competitions, as Newcastle won the Carabao Cup and returned to the Champions League for the following season.
Isak’s form was good enough to see him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Despite losing their final two games of the season, Eddie Howe’s side just managed to stay in the Champions League places and Shearer feels this will be enough to keep hold of Isak even if there is heavyweight interest in him.
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‘Got to keep him and they will, I’m pretty certain of that,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football. ‘Because of their success this year, because they’ve got Champions League football, all of those things.
‘There’s not a worry in my mind that he’s going anywhere. He’ll be a Newcastle player next season because he’s a very, very, very good player.’
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Isak helped Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory this year (Picture: Getty Images)
The Magpies legend says that not only do his former club have to keep hold of their star player, but bring in a number of big signings this summer if they want to continue to progress.
After the initial surge in investment from their Saudi-led owners, the club has had a few quiet transfer windows and Shearer feels that needs to change this time round.
‘They want to go to the next level and remain where they are which is in and around the top four or five all season and challenge for trophies,’ he said. ‘But to do that you have to keep going.
‘They’ve got to get in, I think, two or three big hitters that are going to improve the first team. If they do that, they’re not that far away from challenging.’
Newcastle United FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Alan Shearer is confident on Isak’s future (Picture: Getty Images)
Asked which positions he feels needs strengthening the most, Shearer said: ‘Another forward. Depending on who they sell or keep, probably a right-sided midfielder, maybe another centre-half. If they can add that I really don’t think they’ll be far away.’
The Athletic’s David Ornstein also believes that a move for Isak is ‘not even a conversation’ thanks to Newcastle making it into the Champions League.
The transfer expert suggested Liverpool would be a ‘scary’ prospect if they could add Isak to their squad, but it is now very unlikely to happen.
Speaking ahead of the final round of Premier League fixtures, Ornstein said on The Athletic FC Podcast: ‘There is an expectation that Darwin Nunez will leave and so Liverpool will need to bring in somebody in that position, you assume. It’s scary to think if Liverpool manage to get a goalscorer, what on earth they could do in domestic and European competition.
Newcastle United FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Isak has scored 62 goals in 108 Newcastle appearances (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I do think Isak would be the one that Liverpool would look to, as would Arsenal and many other clubs. It’s less realistic to think it’s going to happen, though, because if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, I think it’s not even a conversation.’
He added on NBC Sports: ‘Newcastle’s perspective is that he’s not for sale at any price.’
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for around £63m and is under contract until 2028.
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