Isak refuses to rule out leaving Newcastle as Arsenal urged to sign striker

Alexander Isak has insisted he is not thinking about the possibility of leaving Newcastle this summer but admitted "things can happen" following suggestions the club may be forced to sell him.

Newcastle announced losses of £150million over the last two years back in January, triggering concerns they could breach the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. The club’s chief executive Darren Eales admitted they might trade players if “the offer is too good to refuse” or there was another incentive to do so.

Isak joined Newcastle for a club-record fee of £63m from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022 and has 26 goals and three assists in 57 games. He is under contract with the Magpies until June 2028, but a move could be on the cards this summer, with Arsenal among the clubs rumoured to be interested.

The Gunners chased Isak back in January 2022 and are still keeping an eye on him. Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-forward in the summer to compete with Gabriel Jesus, while Eddie Nketiah has once again been linked with a move. Isak is on Arsenal’s shortlist alongside Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

But speaking after Sweden beat Albania 1-0 on Monday, Isak brushed off any suggestion of a transfer. “It doesn’t affect me that much. It has been talked about many times, in many windows,” he said. “I see it as just such a thing. Everyone knows that summer is coming and, if things show up, things can happen, but I actually haven’t even thought about it.”

As reported in January, Isak, star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, centre-back Sven Botman and homegrown players like Sean Longstaff are among those who are most likely to be sold by Newcastle in order to balance the books. With the club 10th in the Premier League, another season in the Champions League is not on the cards in 2024/25, meaning the club will lose a valuable revenue stream.

Speaking in January after Isak impressed against Manchester City, former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand said on his FIVE podcast: "Alexander Isak was running in behind constantly [against Manchester City]. If I’m Arsenal, I’m going all out and buying him."

He then added: "Why? They can’t spend... they’re struggling with [profit and sustainability rules]. I think there’s another jump up before [he goes to a club like Real Madrid]. I saw somewhere they have to sell before they can buy again."

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is keen to keep hold of Isak. "He can go on to achieve incredible things in his career," he said earlier this season. "He’s still getting back to 100 per cent fit, he is not totally there yet after his injury troubles this season. But the last two performances and the goals he has scored offers a glimpse into his capabilities."