As transfer rumors surrounding Swedish striker Alexander Isak have been swirling, Eddie Howe claims nobody at Newcastle United wants to lose the player this summer.
In Saturday’s 4-3 comeback victory over West Ham United, the 24-year-old scored two goals, bringing his season total to 18 goals. Isak has an amazing record of 28 goals in 58 appearances after joining the Magpies for a club record £63 million in August 2022. He previously played for Real Sociedad.
Future plans for Isak have been speculated upon due to his performance and reports that United may try to trade a star player this summer in order to increase their transfer budget and comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
But Howe has made it clear that he would never, ever want to lose his leading scorer.
“I thought he was excellent today,” the head coach of the Magpies stated on Saturday. “He didn’t score in open play, but he played extremely well overall and had two excellent penalties. His athleticism and link play both appeared to be in excellent shape.
“He’s an outstanding talent and no one connected with Newcastle would want to lose him.”
Arsenal were regularly linked with signing Isak before his move to St James’ Park, and those rumours are resurfaced in recent weeks.
When asked about the transfer speculation last week, Isak told Swedish outlet Expressen: ““It doesn’t affect me that much. It has been talked about many times, in many windows.
“I see it as just such a thing. Everyone knows that summer is coming and if things show up, things can happen, but I actually haven’t even thought about it.”