Alexander Isak contract claims 'dismissed' as Arsenal now on 'red alert' amid Eddie Howe comments

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has urged Alexander Isak to simply focus on football as doubts surrounding the Swedish sensation’s long-term future at St James’ Park begin to make the headlines.

Earlier this week, i News reporter Mark Douglas claimed the 25-year-old was ‘keen’ to sign a new contract at Newcastle following successful negotiations with fellow attacker Anthony Gordon. However, Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope dismissed claims that talks over an extension had been plane sailing. 

“While there were preliminary discussions towards the end of last season - when Isak scored 21 Premier League goals - there was a feeling then that the striker and his camp were reluctant to commit,” Hope explained.

The report adds that there is little urgency from both sides to open fresh contract talks, with Isak under contract for another three seasons come the end of the current campaign. However, the situation could put Premier League Arsenal on ‘red alert’ amid their pursuit of a top-quality striker. Isak is also already a top earner at St James’ Park. Isak is believed to be happy and settled in Newcastle at the moment but doesn’t want to commit beyond 2028 due to his ambitions of playing Champions League football and emerging doubts over the speed of the project at the club.

At present, investment in the playing squad as well as progress on a new stadium and training ground has slowed, and Mail Sport understands that if Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe again Isak may begin to consider his options with Arsenal in particular being huge admirers of the forward. When asked about Isak’s future, Howe described the situation as ‘complex’ and suggested that discussions surrounding his long-term future were not a priority at this stage due to the length of his current deal.

"Regarding contracts, I'm not involved in those discussions day to day. With Alex, he's got a long contract anyway at the football club and we have to be really careful with our spending due to profit and sustainability rules (PSR). It's not a clear-cut situation." Howe said.

Howe continued: "We of course love him [Isak] and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads of goals for us. I don't see a short-term issue with his contract."

Isak is expected to start this weekend’s Premier League fixture away to Chelsea as he seeks to end his four match goalless streak across all competitions.

The striker only recently returned from a toe injury and has so far managed just one goal in seven appearances across all competitions in a subdued start.

He is currently Newcastle’s main centre forward following a new setback to Callum Wilson, which is expected to keep him out for a further few weeks. Summer signing William Osula is also available for the Magpies but is not expected to start at Stamford Bridge.