The striker deal that's of 'paramount importance' for Newcastle United as Arsenal loom large

The signing of Alexander Isak has been one of the main successes of what has been a three-year period of remarkable progression for Newcastle United.

Many scoffed at the reported £63m fee the Magpies handed over to La Liga club Real Sociedad to make the Sweden international their new club record signing - but that negativity was quickly swept aside when Isak produced a stunning performance on his debut as he found the net and had a goal controversially disallowed in a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool just days after his arrival. After initially registering an interest in the former Borussia Dortmund man earlier in the same same, the Magpies were getting their reward for persistence and patience as they handed a significant boost to their attacking ranks.

Sharing the main striker duties alongside Callum Wilson to smooth his introduction to life in the Premier League, Isak ended his first season on Tyneside with ten goals and three assists in 27 appearances as he helped Newcastle end their two-decade absence from the Champions League and reach a first major cup final since 1999. However, it was during his first full season with the Magpies that Isak really came to the fore as injuries to Wilson left him to spend a large part of the season as Howe’s leading frontman. A whole host of eye-catching moments saw Isak created a seemingly never-ending showreel of finishes of every type as he netted 25 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions in what has gone down as the most prolific season of his career so far.

Such a return does not go unnoticed and there have been reports suggested several of European football’s biggest clubs are monitoring his progress at St James Park. With the Magpies still in the midst of their battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, there was some speculation stated they were considering the big money sales of Isak or fellow forward Anthony Gordon during the summer. However, with any threat of a points deduction and financial punishment staved off by the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson to Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Indeed, the talk in recent weeks has been of Newcastle handing new contracts to Isak and Gordon, with the latter widely expected to put pen to paper in the near future. However, talkSPORT have now claimed Isak is ‘demanding a pay packet making him Newcastle’s top earner, as well as a release clause’ before he will commit his future to the club. That stance is said to have put clubs including Arsenal ‘on red alert’ as they look to take advantage of the contract stand-off.

From Isak’s point of view, his reported stance is understandable, having proven himself in the Premier League when many doubted his ability to make an impact following his move to St James Park. He is now widely viewed as one of the top strikers in the division, with some suggesting only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland sits above him in the forward ranks. For Newcastle, despite these reports, there will be calm, clear and concise thinking. For all of the suggestions of a stand-off, Isak still has just under four years remaining on his current contract and he would still command a fee that would be far in excess of the current club record sale.

However, there will also be a desire for the Magpies hierarchy to prove they are determined to deliver on their unquestionable ambition and that will mean retaining the services of a player that has quickly become integral within Howe’s squad. It could be argued that Isak’s reported stance is a negotiating tactic and in an increasingly complex world of contract negotiations, such a move is commonplace. Both parties are clearly determined to find an agreement and, for Newcastle in particular, shaking hands on a deal and getting Isak’s name on a new deal will be of paramount importance.