Alexander Isak will reject the prospect of leaving Newcastle United - on one condition

Anthony Gordon signed a new long-term deal with the Magpies earlier this week and it was suggested Isak, who finished among the Premier League’s top goalscorers last season with 21 goals, could follow suit.

However, such talk has been played down in recent days. United boss Eddie Howe, speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea, admitted he sees “no short-term issue” with the Sweden international’s current contract, one of that makes him one of the club’s highest earners and still has four years left to run.

“It’s a slightly more complex situation,” said Howe. “Regarding contracts, I’m not necessarily involved in those discussions day to day. I will hear bits and pieces, but I think with Alex he’s got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR.

“It’s not a clear-cut situation. We, of course, love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads and loads of goals for us, but I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”

“How I feel about it is I want Alex to be focused on his football, whatever that looks like,” Howe added. “Whether that is him saying I’m fine, I’m good,  I’ve got four years left on my contract, I’m happy at the football club and I just want to play my best football. That is the ideal world.

“But, of course, nothing in football is straightforward so I’m sure there will be ongoing discussions between Alex, his representatives and the football club. But my main job at the moment is, we are outside of a transfer window, is just to get Alex fit and playing his best football, enjoying his best football and scoring goals.”

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Isak was tracked by Arsenal prior to moving to St James’ Park two years ago for a club-record £63million from Real Sociedad. It is widely known that Mikel Arteta’s side retain a strong interest.

Newcastle would be a strong position should the Gunners or any other team come to the table in the near future, but Howe insists the club must do their bit to show they can match the ambitions of Isak & Co and in turn make them want to stay.

And key to doing that will be qualifying for Europe again next season having missed out this time around.

Howe said: “It's crucial. We have to have a perception of achievement, growing as a football club to keep not just the so-called big names happy, but everyone happy and going in a forward direction.

“I've seen it very quickly go the other way, so I think myself, everyone connected with the club, has a big job to try to keep that momentum positive and keep the dreams really big. It's absolutely crucial that we continue to do that.

“Now, we have to act on the pitch as well. You can't just talk about it, you have to deliver on the pitch and that's what were trying to do."

“He [Isak] is an outstanding talent, he really is,” Howe added. “He can do everything, I’ve said that many times. He has got this incredible natural ability. Really good with the ball, really intelligent and a deadly goalscorer when he is at his absolute best.

“I would be very hesitant to swap him for anybody in world football but of course we haven’t quite seen that devastating, all round game so far this season.

“For me that’s been down to a couple of niggly injuries that keep setting him back when he looks like he is ready to explode. I think he is getting close to that prime physical condition so this will be a big week for him with three big games coming up.”