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Newcastle United's Alexander Isak stance as Chelsea make approach for star striker
NEWCASTLE UNITED remain confident of agreeing a new contract with Alexander Isak, despite having received an approach from Chelsea over their star striker.
Chelsea are understood to have made an initial inquiry over Isak in which they signalled their intention to make a move for the Sweden international if a deal could be agreed.
For all the talk of needing to sell in order to remain within the restraints of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations, Newcastle are adamant they do not want to lose Isak, who was their top scorer with 23 goals last season.
Chelsea set a new transfer record when they paid £115m to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton last summer, and they would have to go well above that figure to have any chance of prising Isak from Newcastle’s grasp. With the Magpies determined to do all they can to hold on to the 24-year-old, Chelsea could find themselves having to break the £200m barrier if they are serious about wanting to add Isak to their ranks for next season.
The Newcastle hierarchy do not expect the Blues to be either willing or able to go anywhere near that high, hence their lack of concern at the news of Chelsea’s interest breaking.
The situation could change if Isak was to push for a move away from Tyneside, and there is a chance that Chelsea have been keen to get their interest into the open in an attempt to unsettle the Magpies striker.
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However, Isak has regularly spoken of his enjoyment at leading the line for Newcastle, and there is currently no expectation that that stance will change no matter what Chelsea try to do.
“I don’t want to entertain these types of questions and rumours,” said Isak, when asked directly about his future towards the end of last season. “It’s not my position. I love playing, there’s no focus (on a possible move), I just want to do well for the team.
Isak is contracted to St James’ Park until 2028, having signed a six-year deal when he signed from Spanish side Real Sociedad two summers ago, but preliminary talks have already taken place over a possible new deal.
There is an acceptance amongst Newcastle chiefs that the striker’s stock has risen sharply since he arrived in England, and a new deal would recognise the extent to which Isak has now developed into arguably the club’s most important player.
Further discussions are expected to take place when Isak returns from his summer break next month, with Newcastle hoping that a new deal would effectively end any external interest, at least for this summer.
Arsenal were linked with a possible move for Isak for much of last season, but the Gunners are yet to make any formal contact with Newcastle’s powerbrokers.
