Newcastle United want to end the saga of transfer dream Arsenal target Alexander Isak for good, with it reported they are preparing a gargantuan new contract offer.
The Premier League’s second-highest scorer in 2024/25, Isak’s 23 strikes took his overall tally in the division to 54 in 86 appearances since signing for Eddie Howe’s team in the summer of 2022.
This has also made him desirable in the eyes of Arsenal, who need to recruit a striker more than ever this summer, though circumstances have meant that the 25-year-old is rather a dream signing instead of realistic.
Newcastle’s triumph in qualifying for the Champions League means they can offer Isak football at the highest level, which also helped reaffirm their reported not-for-sale stance.
It will also provide a healthy financial boost, and The Telegraph now hint that they are going to be committing a certain amount towards making the striker their highest-paid player.
The Magpies are said to be lining up an official attempt to sign Brighton centre forward Joao Pedro – another who has been tied to the Emirates Stadium by rumour.
He is wanted as competition for Isak, who later this summer is pencilled in for contract renewal talks.
They will have additional wage funds available to try and tempt Isak as top transfer target. Bryan Mbeumo has rejected interest in favour of joining Manchester United, though Newcastle privately felt the Brentford star’s wage demands were ‘impossible to match’.
Isak’s current deal – signed upon his arrival three years ago – runs until 2028.
There is therefore no pressing urgency to renew, as Arsenal or any other suitor would be forced to pay an asking price, which before the summer was speculated at £150m.
Instead, it would seem a case of rewarding a player who has done spectacularly in the Premier League but also seeing off ongoing transfer whispers once and for all.
Meanwhile the Gunners have looked more closely into signing either RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
The former, 22, is comparable to Isak when he arrived at St. James’ Park from Real Sociedad – the same age and with a track record in front of goal in one of Europe’s top leagues.
On the other hand, the latter, 27, has a more impressive tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances over the last two seasons, albeit in a so-called lesser division and with age not on his side by comparison.
