Newcastle boost as Alexander Isak commits to club despite Arsenal links

Alexander Isak's form this season has firmly put him on the radar of some of Europe's elite teams - PA/Richard Sellers

Alexander Isak has declared he is staying at Newcastle United in a blow to rival clubs who were attempting to unsettle the Sweden international in the hope he will push to leave this summer.

‌Isak scored 25 goals with two assists in his second season on Tyneside and has earned a reputation as one of the Premier League deadliest forwards.

‌That fuelled talk of bids coming in for the 24-year-old, with Barcelona among those who are reported to have shown interest.

‌Telegraph Sport had repeatedly been told by senior sources at Newcastle that Isak is not for sale at any price with manager Eddie Howe intending to build the team around the Sweden international over the next few years.

‌And if clubs were hoping that the player had a different view on his future, he has moved to squash talk of his exit.

‌Asked about his future by Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, Isak stressed he is happy where he is and does not want to leave.

‌“I’m really, really happy at Newcastle,” he said. “I had my best season of my career. You can’t underestimate that. I love everything about the club, the fans, the city.”

‌“I don’t really have any thoughts of moving or anything like that. I’m having a great time and I’m very happy with my life.”

‌Arsenal have been consistently linked with a move for Isak but Telegraph Sport understands they have prioritised other targets this summer.

‌As reported by Telegraph Sport last month, Arsenal have serious interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko — and are regarded within the game as the frontrunners for his signature, if they choose to formalise that interest. Leipzig are hoping to keep the 21-year-old, who has plenty of admirers beyond Arsenal.

‌Sesko’s release clause is reported to be set at around £55 million and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal choose to trigger that clause or focus on other positions first, with a new defender and midfielder also on their wishlist. They are set to buy David Raya from Brentford on a permanent deal worth around £30 million this summer.

‌There have been claims that Newcastle would need to sell one of their big name stars this summer to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, but Telegraph Sport understands the club plan to sell some of their older players before the start of next season instead of Isak and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes. And Isak revealed nobody at Newcastle has suggested they need to sell him.

‌“It’s not something I speculate about,” he said. “Within the team or the club, there has been no talk or drama around it. I have not received any information from the club that they would have to sell me.”

‌Isak’s 21 league goals meant he has become the first Swedish player to score more than 20 goals in a season in the Premier League, surpassing the 17 from Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Manchester United in the 2016-17 season.

‌Isak added: “It’s been good, especially the second part of the season. I had some hiccups and injuries in the first part. It was a bit difficult to find the flow, but in the last few months, I’ve been playing regularly and getting continuity. It has shown in the performances too,” he added.

‌“It’s great to have a record in Swedish football. And I’m not thinking about Zlatan, but I am most satisfied with my season. I scored a lot of goals in a league like the Premier League. I think mostly about my own performance, and I’m very happy with that.”

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