Isak's four transfer options amid record-breaking heroics and HUGE price tag

Alexander Isak can't stop scoring and Newcastle, for the first time since the days of Alan Shearer, can once again lay claim to having Europe's best striker.

When they signed Shearer in 1996 they spent a world record fee. If they were to cash in on Isak now, given his quality and age, they would at least eclipse the British record fee and likely run the world-record fee pretty close.

The Swede had a number of clubs circling when he was making a name for himself at Real Sociedad, but Newcastle chose to act several years ago and are reaping the rewards. Isak is in stunning form, as are his club, and he scored for the eighth straight game as they saw off Wolves on Wednesday night.

That takes him past Shearer, whose best scoring run only went up to seven games. Isak is on course to deliver the best goalscoring season of his career with Newcastle eyeing another top four spot, but they are not naive to the interest in their frontman.

Eddie Howe has lauded his player and it was reported last month that the Magpies wanted a mammoth £150million before they considered parting company with Isak. The striker has a number of years left on his deal, meaning Newcastle are firmly in control of his future.

The Newcastle boss recently said: “There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that. Of course the main responsibility is for Alex to keep his focus, ignore the plaudits and keep helping the team not be selfish. It is about Newcastle and he plays his part."

Isak himself has kept his head down despite the compliments flying his way and has given no indiction he wants to leave, but a number of Europe's heavyweights are lining up and could look to halt Newcastle's momentum by taking their leading light.

Arsenal have been the Premier League outfit most heavily linked with Isak - and their need is perhaps greater than any. They've struggled to source a prolific frontman but Isak is operating right in front of them, and has scored numerous goals against the Gunners.

The issue is inevitably going to be the price tag with Newcastle more likely to sell to a foreign rival, rather than a domestic one. Chelsea were keen in the past but they baulked when the Magpies made it clear how much they wanted for Isak.

Manchester United will always be linked for the biggest names and they've not seen the return they may have liked from Rasmus Hojlund. With Ruben Amorim now in the building all the talk is of a move for Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres, but should that fail to materialise Isak could become more of a target.

A number of Europe's heavyweights currently have their frontlines well stocked and Isak, who is clearly a No 9, would need to be played through the middle if he is to be most effective. Bayern Munich have committed to Harry Kane for now, whilst Real Madrid are still trying to get the most out of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr and are unlikely to throw another name into the mix.

PSG would appear the most likely team to act. Their Qatari wealth means no player is ever off limits and, despite adding Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli in January, they are yet to properly replace the goals that left when Mbappe headed to Spain and Isak would go a long way to filling that hole.

Barcelona's finances are not what they were whilst they also have Robert Lewandowski, albeit he's ageing, leading their line. They have a number of young talents who they'll look to retain with Isak's price tag effectively ruling them out.

Newcastle, since their Saudi-led takeover, have been able to invest in talent and retain it thus far. Despite major clubs being linked with Isak, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon all have remained at St James' Park and remain key figures.

Their biggest test is likely to be their defiance should one of Europe's elite - a group they aspire to be part of - come knocking for Isak. The player's stock is rising at a rapid rate and Newcastle will need to blossom at the same speed if they want to continue fulfilling his ambitions.