Eales admitted there is annoyance at Isak being continually linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, which implied the Magpies are “in the next category down” from the top clubs they are “striving to compete with”.
In a wide-ranging briefing as Newcastle announced a loss of just over £11m during a period when they were forced to sell to comply with profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR), Eales said the “future is bright” for the club – reaffirming the commitment of majority owners the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to the project.
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Eales said a year of minimal investment in the squad and sales in successive transfer windows had significantly strengthened their PSR position and would allow them to start spending again in the summer, as well as removing any pressure on them to sell the likes of Isak.
“They’re committed to the club. So, from that perspective, we’re not looking to move any player on. We’ve got that wish and desire to keep our key players [and] we’re not under the gun [to sell] or anything like that.
It will be a welcome message for Newcastle supporters with Isak coveted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona after scoring more than 50 Premier League goals in his first three seasons in the Premier League.
“You would rather have people talking about players than not in the sense we know he is a world-class player and he is somebody, obviously, other clubs would covet because he is an incredible player,” Eales said.
“There is a sense of annoyance as we are almost seen as the next category down and it is fair game to talk about our players but we are striving as a club to be at the top table and we want our best players here and to be honest it shows the value Isak has that they talk about him all the time.”
New deal
The Swedish international has scored 22 goals this season (Photo: Getty)“We’re going to be clear – he has multiple years left,” he said.
“That’s something that we will approach in the summer.”
On the subject of the club’s big stadium decision, Eales offered little substantial concrete new information but said that the decision would be announced in the “near future”.
“From my perspective, and I deal with them day to day, [PIF] are 100 per cent committed to Newcastle,” Eales said.
“As for the training ground, we’re still making ongoing investments in the short term to our current spot [and] we are looking to the medium term for a new training ground. That again speaks to their commitment. Since the takeover, the rate that we have grown is unprecedented in football.”
Transfer plans
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“We’re in a good place,” Eales said.
“Paul [Mitchell] and his team have had a period of time now working with Eddie [Howe] as well because, ultimately, it’s about getting the players that Eddie wants in his position so there’s real alignment in that respect so we’re excited about the summer ahead.”
Howe backing
“Eddie is a wonderful manager, you only need to look at what we have done, taking over the club when we were in the relegation zone and I think what’s great about Eddie is he’s super collaborative,” Eales said.
“We are all working to that PSR headroom so that is the reality. As we approach each window we [know] every decision has a knock-on effect and that is the reality.
“If we chose to renew contracts of players and keep key players here, that means there is going to be an impact in terms of what you have available elsewhere but Eddie knows that and understands it.
“The reality is we’ve got a great coach, we have amazing players in our squad, we are growing our revenues and we have an ownership that is fully committed to the long-term so the future is bright, it’s just the nature of football that we have the ups and downs.
“He does a really good job of managing that as part of being the head coach of Newcastle United. We are delighted he is with us and we hope he is going to be with us for a very long time.”
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