Arsenal in Isak blow as Newcastle demand second highest transfer fee in HISTORY

ARSENAL have been dealt a blow in their hopes of making Alexander Isak their new No9.

Newcastle have no desire to sell the star and instead want to build a team around him.

And it would take nearly DOUBLE the reported £82.9m fee for them to even respond to any potential bids.

That means the Swede would be the second most expensive player ever - inbetween Paris Saint-Germain's £198m capture of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 and the £163m PSG paid Monaco for Kylian Mbappe in 2018.

Isak, 25, has emerged as one of the most-coveted players on the planet since his club-record £63m arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022.

He became the first Toon player since legend Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals last term.

He is already on 17 in the top-flight this season and is also looking to achieve icon status by ending Newcastle’s 70-year major trophy drought in the Carabao Cup Final next month.

However, his red-hot form on Tyneside has caught the eye of a host of clubs across the continent but it is Toon’s Prem rivals that continue to be linked the most.

Arsenal are desperate for a striker with their lack of one looking set to cost them in the title race again.

They have held a long-term interest and are believed to be readying a swoop for later this year.

Meanwhile, Wembley opponents Liverpool and Chelsea would also both love to sign him.

Newcastle, though, are under no pressure to sell and have the hotshot tied down to a contract believed to be worth £130,000-a-week until 2028.

Despite reports claiming that Isak wants to “make a leap forward” and that he would be allowed to leave if a “fair proposal” was received should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, their stance is quite the opposite.

A figure of £82.9m was touted - but Newcastle have zero interest in making just a £20m profit on Isak.

Even if they do not finish in the top five, the club have come through three tough transfer windows without any major additions in order to bolster their PSR position.

And Eddie Howe is not only determined to hang on to Isak, he hopes to finally be able to bring in several new additions in order to compliment the likes of the forward, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle have always been relaxed over Isak’s contract situation even when preliminary talks over a new package ceased last year due to the length of his current one.

Although further discussions are pencilled in once this season finishes.

Speaking on the situation earlier in the campaign, Newcastle boss Howe said: “I think with Alex he’s got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR. It’s not a clear-cut situation.

“We of course love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads and loads of goals for us, but I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”

Isak himself has also stated that he is not thinking about his future, saying in December: “Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumours during the season.

“There have been many such years where it has been talked about.

"It doesn't affect me. I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there.

“I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season.

"There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.

“The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out.

"Much of what I read is not true. So that’s about all I can say about the whole thing.”