Transfer Centre

Arsenal's leading striker target 'set to hold contract talks with current club'

By Devesh Jaganath | 22 May 2024

Newcastle United are reportedly set to open discussions over a new contract with Alexander Isak amid interest from Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old has been in excellent form this season, featuring in 40 games for the Magpies, scoring 25 goals and providing two assists in that time.

The Gunners have made signing a new number nine their top priority for the summer, and the Swedish forward is firmly included in their list of targets.

Other names that have been linked with a possible move to the Emirates Stadium in recent times are Brentford's Ivan Toney and Sporting Lisbon attacker Viktor Gyokeres.

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak shakes hands with manager Eddie Howe after being substituted on August 12, 2023 © Reuters

Magpies hoping to tie down Isak with new-and-improved deal

However, Football Insider reports that Newcastle are eager to keep Isak at St James' Park and are preparing a new-and-improved deal that would align his earnings with those of the club's top earners, such as Kieran Trippier.

Similar to all other Newcastle players, the Swedish international will face a 20% reduction in wages next season owing to the club failing to qualify for the Champions League.

The report adds that discussions between Newcastle and Isak's representatives are expected to occur after the FA Cup final, by which time Eddie Howe's side will have clarity on which European competition they will participate in next season.

The Magpies ended the 2023-24 campaign in seventh place, six points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, but will qualify for the Europa Conference League if Manchester City beat cross-town rivals Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final.

Isak made a club-record move to Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £63m, and in his 52 Premier League appearances, he has netted 31 goals.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak during the warm up before the match on May 13, 2023 © Reuters

Newcastle United at risk of losing several players in the summer

Apart from Isak, the futures of other Newcastle stars are also uncertain, including Bruno Guimaraes, who has garnered significant interest from a host of clubs in the Premier League and across Europe.

While the Brazil international's current contract includes a £100m release clause, Newcastle will be powerless to prevent his departure if one of Europe's powerhouses trigger the buy-out clause.

In addition, Anthony Gordon has also been linked with a move away from Tyneside in the summer, with Liverpool believed to be interested in the services of the 23-year-old attacker.