Could Alexander Isak leave Newcastle in 2025? - Top journalist responds
Newcastle United look likely to keep Alexander Isak for the foreseeable future unless a monster offer arrives for the striker, according to The Athletic's Chris Waugh.
The Swede is back to his best, netting three in as many games, including a glorious header against Arsenal. Last season, he was the club's highest goal-scorer, with 25 goals across all competitions, though he has taken some games to get fully up to speed this campaign.
During the summer, there was a lot of mounting speculation around Isak and his future, with the Gunners as well as Chelsea linked. Interest is inevitable while he continues to score goals in the Premier League.
The striker stayed at St James' Park and contract talks were ongoing up until last month, when things ground to a halt. This has caused a degree of anxiety among Newcastle fans, who fear losing one of the club's best players next year.
But The Athletic‘s Chris Waugh has provided some insight into Isak and his future when quizzed on his future during a recent Q&A, stating that Newcastle would entertain offers only if an 'insane' offer is forthcoming. “I cannot envisage a scenario in which Newcastle — and especially Howe — agree to sanction a mid-season exit for Isak", he said.
Asked about the prospect of a summer sale at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Waugh added: "Next summer, Newcastle may have a decision to make on Isak if they receive a substantial offer — it would need to be north of £100m for the club to give it any consideration — but he would still have three years left on his deal."
Newcastle remain in a strong position to keep their star striker, but you get the feeling European football could be key moving forward. A failure to return to some of Europe's elite competitions in 2025 and Newcastle would leave themselves open, especially if £100m+ bids arrived with the offer of Champions League football.
Let's hope he continues scoring goals and fires us back into Europe, as this ambitious project at St James' Park would have a major gap to fill if Alexander Isak was no longer leading the line.
