Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak remains calm and unfazed by ongoing transfer speculation linking him with Arsenal.
The Swedish international, who scored an impressive 25 goals in 40 appearances last season, attracted significant interest from the Gunners over the summer. Arsenal reportedly reached out to Newcastle to inquire about a transfer, only to be met with a firm “not for sale” response. Isak’s contract at St James’ Park runs through 2028, and discussions about a possible contract improvement have reportedly taken place, but recent reports suggest negotiations have hit a snag.
While Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe previously stated that the contract situation is “not clear-cut,” he indicated that he doesn’t foresee any issues with Isak’s current contract. Meanwhile, Isak reassured fans that his focus is solely on Newcastle’s success this season. “Throughout my career, I’ve never focused on transfer rumors during the season,” Isak shared with fotbollskanalen. “I have no issues with Newcastle; I’m fully focused on our goals for this season. There are great opportunities for us, and that’s where my attention is.”
When pressed on whether he is engaged in talks about a contract extension, Isak simply replied, “No comment.” Despite Newcastle’s unwillingness to sell, Arsenal may still have their eyes on Isak, especially given their recent lack of a reliable No. 9, with Kai Havertz’s form being inconsistent.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson is one of Isak’s admirers, recently saying on Sky Sports that Arsenal should have “broken the bank” to bring Isak to the Emirates. “He’s the missing link for Arsenal. He can come short, get in the box, and spread the play. Arsenal need that—they’re a bit congested now without a player like him,” Merson added.
For now, though, Isak is set on contributing to Newcastle’s promising season, leaving the door closed to transfer speculation.