Newcastle look to have been handed a major boost to their hopes of keeping Alexander Isak amid interest from Arsenal. The Gunners have been linked to Isak ever since his Real Sociedad days with talk of him joining Arsenal only increasing since his switch to the Premier League.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has discussed Isak's future on a number of occasions with recent comments on his contract situation suggesting he could leave at some point soon. "It’s a slightly more complex situation," he said on talks over an extension for Isak.

When asked to compare Isak's situation to that of Anthony Gordon, Howe said: "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."

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Those financial concerns came to the fore on Friday when a report by the Athletic revealed representatives of some Newcastle stars were still owed agent fees from September. There was also a similar delay on image rights to leading players, but Newcastle have claimed it to be a processing issue not because of profit and sustainability concerns.

Despite it having nothing to do with any serious concerns over finances, fears they may have to sell Isak are still prominent however an unlikely solution to being able to keep hold of him may have emerged.

As reported by one of football.london's sister sites, Chronicle Live, the club's new fan zone 'the STACK' had clocked up profits of around £400,000 in the week leading up to Christmas alone with numbers over £1.5million potentially going into the coffers this month.

For the Premier League win over Arsenal, in which Isak scored the winner, it is believed that over £190,000 for the was injected into club funds. Newcastle may still need to sell Isak next summer, with Emirates Stadium as a potential destination for him, however they appear to be doing all they can to avoid selling a big player.

As further proof of why Newcastle want to keep him and Arsenal are after his signature, Isak scored a 54-minute hat-trick against Ipswich on Saturday afternoon.