Newcastle United cannot afford to let Alexander Isak move to a rival club

Top strikers are hard to find in elite European football. Just look at Arsenal. The Gunners were real favourites to win the Premier League until the final matchday of the season, but deployed Kai Havertz as a number nine, even though the German international is most comfortable in attacking midfield.

Chelsea and Manchester United have also struggled to find a good centre-forward for the attacking line. Both clubs spent too much money signing strikers based on their potential rather than their current level. An example of this is Manchester United’s signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72 million last summer.

This explains why there is reportedly so much interest in Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker scored 21 goals in 30 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United last season and has recently been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, with the Magpies reportedly demanding a £115 million price tag for their most valuable player.

Newcastle will have to do everything they can to keep hold of Isak. Eddie Howe’s side suffered a regression last season, falling out of the Champions League places and eventually finishing seventh in the Premier League table. However, the St James’ Park club still have ambitions to challenge for titles and honours.

Not only is Isak one of Newcastle’s best players, he also embodies the model that the club embodies. Isak may not have been cheap, costing £63 million from Real Sociedad in August 2022, but the Magpies targeted him for his potential and moulded him into one of the best centre-forwards in English football at St James’ Park.

Of course, there are other quality players in Howe’s squad. Bruno Guimaraes is one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League and Sven Botman is an exceptional centre-back when fit. Kieran Trippier also has elite-level experience. However, Isak is the rarest player at St James’ Park right now.

Even if Newcastle were to pay £115 million for Isak, where would they find a centre-forward of his level for the same money? The Swede has already proven himself in the Premier League and is only 24 years old. He still has time to improve further and become one of the best attackers in the world alongside Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

This summer marks a critical turning point for Newcastle United in their efforts to become one of the best teams in England. The club has already lost its sporting director Dan Ashworth to Manchester United and now faces competition for its best players. Isak is central to the whole project.