Isak’s superb form over the past two seasons – he already has 20 Premier League goals this term with eight games remaining – has understandably made him a target for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Arsenal and Liverpool covet the Sweden forward while there is believed to be substance in reports that Barcelona have him high on a shortlist of striker options.
Isak’s contractual status – he has three years left on his deal with talks on his contract set to reopen in the summer – mean there is little leverage for any club trying to get him out of Newcastle, but just as importantly there is a consensus at St James’ Park that he is pivotal to the club achieving their long-term aim of challenging for trophies and qualifying regularly for the Champions League.
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There has been talk of a £150m asking price but Newcastle insiders are so adamant that they want to build around Isak that no official valuation has been put on Isak. With the club sensing that they have regained some momentum in their bid to ruffle the feathers of English football’s elite even a bid of that size – which is unlikely given the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) implications that it might have – might not tempt Newcastle to negotiate.
Complicating matters further is that Newcastle may also be in the market for a striker, with interest in Ipswich Town‘s Liam Delap and Lille’s soon-to-be free agent forward Jonathan David. Much of that depends on the future of Callum Wilson, who could yet be offered a one-year extension with Newcastle having to build a squad to cope with the burdens of European football next season.
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That is important because the intention from the top of the Newcastle hierarchy downwards is clear: the club should not be regarded as a springboard to so-called bigger and better things anymore.
It is one of the reasons why Howe is so highly-rated by those in positions of power at Newcastle. While there was talk that a close season of friction that followed the appointment of Paul Mitchell as director of football might weaken his position, instead it appears to have significantly strengthened it with Howe’s ability to “manage up” now proven. The mantra at Newcastle is that the pair are working “collaboratively” – and the recent contract extensions for Fabian Schar and Martin Dubravka do suggest that Howe’s desire to retain a core of his trusted players is being listened to.
The possibility of a “game-changing” return to the Champions League, which Howe has admitted would be “transformative” from a revenue perspective, has increased significantly in recent weeks and confirmation that the top five will qualify for the competition puts fresh impetus behind their bid ahead of a crucial fortnight. They take on Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the next seven days hoping to continue building on the momentum generated by last month’s impressive Carabao Cup win.
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