- Newcastle have reportedly made a decision over the future of Alexander Isak
- They have passed the news on to Arsenal, who are looking for a new striker
- Earlier this year they demanded more than £115million from Chelsea for the attacker
Newcastle have reportedly made a decision on Alexander Isak and have issued a statement to suitors Arsenal.
It was great to watch Isak play last season, scoring an incredible 25 goals as Newcastle made their first Champions League appearance in 20 years.
His goalscoring exploits, bettered in the Premier League only by Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer, left clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal salivating.
Newcastle demanded more than £115m for the Swede when Chelsea came calling in January, having already paid Real Sociedad £63m for him in 2022.
And now they’ve reportedly gone one step further and slammed the door in Arsenal’s face, according to The independent.
Newcastle have reportedly informed Arsenal that Alexander Isak is not for sale this summer
Isak scored 25 goals last season and said this summer that he has no plans to leave
Mikel Arteta is forced to update his shopping list after being told in no uncertain terms that Isak is no longer available.
There were fears Newcastle would have to sell the 24-year-old to comply with financial regulations, but the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh around the ‘mini deadline day’ of June 30 helped them do so.
According to The Independent, Arsenal are now looking for a striker who can be deployed more broadly, rather than a traditional number nine.
Arsenal’s interest in Ivan Toney appears to have cooled, along with other clubs, despite Brentford reportedly lowering his asking price to below £50m.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko extended his contract by one year until 2019 in June. Chelsea, Manchester United and the Gunners were interested in the 21-year-old Slovenian.
Earlier this summer, Isak indicated he had ‘no plans’ to leave Tyneside.
“I’m enjoying myself at Newcastle and have had the best season of my career,” he told the Swedish Press Agency Football channels.
‘I love everything about the club: the fans and the city.
Mikel Arteta will reassess his options as Arsenal’s interest in Ivan Toney wanes, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has extended his contract in Germany
‘It (my future) is not something I am going to speculate about, I have no thoughts about leaving. It has not been discussed at the club and I have not received any information that the club should sell me.’
In the January 2022 transfer window, Arsenal showed significant interest in Isak, while he was still at Sociedad. However, they were unable to reach an agreement with the Spanish club.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe made it clear in April that they have no intention of selling Isak, the club’s record signing for £63 million.
“He is an extraordinary talent and no one associated with Newcastle wants to lose him,” said the head coach.
Newcastle are on a pre-season tour in Japan and Isak scored the goal in their 4-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday.
Today they play against Yokohama F. Marinos, who reached the Asian Champions League final last season under Harry Kewell but was sacked in July.