Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been one of the most sought-after players in Europe, and now, the Magpies have made it clear just how much it will take to pry him away from St James’ Park. Arsenal and Liverpool, two clubs who have long admired the Swedish international, are reeling after learning the asking price for their prized forward.
The 25-year-old has impressed with his consistent performances, making him a key target for top clubs across Europe. Arsenal, who are still on the hunt for a world-class striker to complement their attacking force, have kept a close eye on Isak since his time at Borussia Dortmund. Similarly, Liverpool, facing potential uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s contract situation, have also considered Isak as a possible replacement.
Paris Saint-Germain have recently shown interest in Isak as well, with rumors of a bid from the French giants circulating. Meanwhile, Spain’s elite clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, have not been ruled out as potential suitors, adding even more intrigue to the situation.
However, Newcastle have made it clear that any potential deal for Isak will come at a premium price. According to reports from The Telegraph, the club is demanding a staggering £150 million for their star forward, a figure that has left both Arsenal and Liverpool fans in disbelief.
This is the same amount that Newcastle reportedly quoted Chelsea in the summer, successfully thwarting their attempts to sign Isak. The Magpies feel the fee is justified, considering the striker’s impressive form in the Premier League. Isak has scored 42 goals in 68 appearances for Newcastle, solidifying his place among Europe’s most lethal forwards.
Isak’s contract runs for another three-and-a-half years, and Newcastle has plans to extend his stay. The Swedish striker was signed for a club-record £63 million from Real Sociedad in 2022, but with his performances now at an elite level, Newcastle believes he is worth more than double that amount.
This asking price would eclipse the previous Premier League record transfer of £106 million, which saw Enzo Fernandez move from Benfica to Chelsea in 2023. The staggering figure has led to concerns that both Arsenal and Liverpool may be priced out of a potential deal, with financial fair play rules likely complicating any bid.
Despite the high asking price, Newcastle are confident they will be able to hold on to Isak. The club remains “relaxed” about the situation and has no intention of selling their talismanic striker. Sources close to the club have emphasized that Newcastle sees Isak as an integral part of their future plans and is in no rush to let him go.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, has been impressed with Isak’s recent form, which includes 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League matches. Howe has made it clear that while Isak is in fantastic shape, there is still room for improvement.
Speaking about Isak’s development, Howe said, “We give him information and he is responsive. He is not a closed shop. He knows he has to keep adding to his game, and the challenge is great for him to keep scoring freely as he is now.” Howe added, “His game is in a good place at the moment, but my job is to not sit back and appreciate that, my job is to try and find areas he can improve.”
Despite his excellent form, Howe is keen to push Isak even further, emphasizing that football is constantly evolving, and Isak needs to continue adapting to stay at the top. “It’s to push him towards that and never stop pushing,” Howe said. “He has all the ingredients in there, but football never stops evolving, and he has to evolve with it.”
While Isak is clearly one of the top strikers in the Premier League, the big question remains whether Arsenal or Liverpool will be willing to meet Newcastle’s astronomical asking price. With clubs like PSG and La Liga’s elite also monitoring the situation, the battle for Isak’s signature could become one of the most high-profile transfer sagas in recent memory.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Isak’s future. Will Arsenal or Liverpool take the plunge and attempt to secure his services, or will Newcastle stand firm and keep hold of their star forward? One thing is for certain: the saga surrounding Alexander Isak is far from over.
For further updates on this developing story, make sure to stay tuned.