'It's a shame' - Major Alexander Isak transfer claim after bold Newcastle United admission

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he wouldn’t swap “world class” Alexander Isak for any striker in world football.

Isak netted his 18th and 19th goals of the 2023-24 Premier League season during Saturday’s 5-1 win over Sheffield United. The Swede has now scored in seven consecutive home games and put himself in the running for the golden boot award.

Since arriving from Real Sociedad in a club-record £63million deal in August 2022, the 24-year-old has scored an impressive 33 goals in 63 appearances. There are many other centre forwards across the globe but Howe wouldn’t consider any over Isak.

“I think he is,” said Howe when asked if Isak is world class. “I'm not overly analysing every striker in world football, I'm focused very much on my team so I'm not the best person qualified to give that opinion but the big question is would I swap him with anyone else? No I wouldn't.

“When you look at his age profile, what's to come and look at his attributes and qualities, he's some talent.”

Admiring glances and talk of selling players to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) has led to speculation over Isak’s future. It is constant gossip Howe would rather not address.

“It's a shame for me and probably for Alex,” Howe added. “I understand the question but that will be the main thing with the better he does and the more goals he scores.

“We should enjoy his performances and how he's playing at the moment, full of confidence and physically in a really good place. It's a great thing to watch him play.” 

So too has Bruno Guimaraes been linked a move elsewhere because of his £100million release clause.

Howe added: “I don’t really think they will want to be addressing that week-in, week-out but in the same sentence, you want the players playing at their best level consistently and showcasing their talents to the world. It probably does go hand in hand, unless you’re right at the top of the tree, which we’re not at the moment.

“We have work to do as a football club to maintain our drive and ambition, which is there, but the players need to feel that as well to pledge their long-term futures to the club. We have to keep the momentum very strong.”