Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says he is unmoved by speculation linking Arsenal with star striker Alexander Isak.

The Gunners have been tipped to search for a new centre-forward in 2025 and Isak has been persistently connected with a potential move south. The Swede has scored in each of his last six Premier League games, tallying a total of eight goals across that spell.

He sits joint third with Cole Palmer in the Premier League top scorers chart, having netted 11 of his 12 strikes since returning from a broken toe in October. For comparison, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz - Arsenal’s natural centre-forward options - have netted ten league goals between them so far.

READ MORE: Managing Arsenal - Alexander Isak steal and £40m Nico Williams coup as defender sold

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah drops new Liverpool bombshell amid title race with Arsenal and Chelsea

Supporters have been left frustrated by a lack of attacking potency at various points in the first half of the season. Winger Bukayo Saka - now out for two months - has been the club’s most productive player with nine goals and 13 assists prior to his setback.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not closed the door on new arrivals in January but warned that the winter market is often a tough one to navigate. It is unclear whether Saka’s injury, which required surgery, has altered the club’s transfer plans.

The Gunners only registered a net spend of around £17million this summer, so there might be scope for signings. However, Arsenal have yet to appoint a successor to former sporting director Edu, who unexpectedly left in November.

Nevertheless, they are still being linked with Isak given his scoring ability and hard-working style of play that may appeal to Arteta. Newcastle boss Howe, though, is unfazed by the rumours.

Asked about his thoughts on top clubs, such as Arsenal, being constantly linked with his players, Howe said: “It comes with the territory.

“Maybe in my early days that would have left more of an impression but when you're in my position, you ignore it and it's irrelevant. There'll be so much talk and you can't control it so you don't even try.”

Newcastle are set to have a quiet January due to their position within spending limits, which may infer that the club are planning to keep a tight ship in regards to potential exits.

Howe explained: “I don't believe currently we have [the financial capability for big-money signings] but we're not really concentrating on incomings.”