- Newcastle has reportedly made a decisive call regarding the future of Alexander Isak.
- They have communicated their stance to Arsenal, who are actively seeking a new striker.
- Earlier this year, Newcastle requested over £115m from Chelsea for the forward.
Newcastle has reportedly come to a firm conclusion regarding Alexander Isak, informing interested party Arsenal.
Isak impressed last season, scoring 25 goals as Newcastle made their Champions League return after a 20-year absence.
His goal-scoring performance was surpassed only by Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer in the Premier League, attracting the attention of Chelsea and Arsenal.
Newcastle had previously asked for more than £115 million when Chelsea expressed interest in January, having signed him from Real Sociedad for £63 million in 2022.
They have since taken a firmer stance, reportedly closing the door on Arsenal’s advances, according to The Independent.
Newcastle has reportedly informed Arsenal that Alexander Isak is not available for transfer this summer.
Isak scored 25 goals last season and stated this summer that he has no plans to leave.
Mikel Arteta will need to revise his transfer plans after being informed in no uncertain terms that Isak is off the market.
Concerns arose that Newcastle might have to sell the 24-year-old due to financial regulations, but sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh during the ‘mini deadline day’ at the end of June have alleviated those worries.
According to The Independent, Arsenal is now focusing on finding a wide forward who can cut inside, rather than a traditional striker.
Interest in Ivan Toney appears to have diminished as well, even with Brentford reportedly reducing his price to below £50 million.
Additionally, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko signed a one-year contract extension until 2029 in June, amidst interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal for the 21-year-old Slovenian.
Earlier this summer, Isak affirmed that he had ‘no thoughts’ of leaving Tyneside.
‘I’m enjoying my time at Newcastle; I had my best season here,’ he remarked to Swedish outlet Fotballskanalen.
‘I love everything about the club, the fans, and the city.’
Mikel Arteta will reassess his options with Arsenal’s interest in Ivan Toney cooling while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has renewed his deal in Germany.
‘My future is not something I’ll speculate on; I have no thoughts of leaving. There has been no discussion at the club, nor have I received any information suggesting they need to sell me.’
Back in January 2022, Arsenal showed substantial interest in Isak while he was at Sociedad but could not come to an agreement with the Spanish club.
Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe emphasized in April that they have no intention of parting ways with Isak, the club’s record signing at £63 million.
‘He’s an exceptional player, and no one associated with Newcastle would want to lose him,’ said Howe.
Newcastle is currently on a pre-season tour in Japan, where Isak scored during their 4-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday.
Today, they face Yokohama F. Marinos, who reached the Asian Champions League final last season under Harry Kewell before he was sacked in July.
