Alexander Isak - Sky Sports could be in for a shock!
Sky Sports' media push over Alexander Isak's future has been relentless.
Commentators talking up why he's the man for Arsenal immediately after scoring for Newcastle, Paul Merson's constant comments or the latest discussion on The Overlap as Jamie Carragher questions where he could end up this summer if it's not North London.
It's non-stop. I understand interest is inevitable when he's performing at this level - that is part of football - but the narrative and constant conversation driven by Sky Sports centres around where he'll end up this summer, as if keeping him at Newcastle United isn't an option.
Personally, I think Sky, Arsenal fans and other media outlets obsessing over his next move could be in for a shock. Here's a few reasons why.
Champions League factor
If Newcastle United finish in the top five and bring Champions League football back to St James' Park, I'm very confident Isak goes nowhere.
There is no doubt this will be a big ambition of his after missing out on Europe's elite competition this season, but if this is on offer next term and Newcastle invest over the summer (which I expect us to do after coming out of January in a much stronger PSR position), he'll have more than enough reasons to stick around.
On top of that, he is working under a top manager in Eddie Howe, has regularly explained how happy he is on Tyneside and he's worshipped by fans.
Can anyone afford him?!
Point one may be irrelevant if Newcastle finish sixth or lower, but the money factor is real. Newcastle are in such a strong position to keep him from a financial point of view.
- He is contracted to the club until 2028 (and a new deal is likely at the end of the season)
- We are no longer needing to sell, unlike last June
- Ambitious Saudi owners will be determined to build this summer, not lose our star striker
On top of that, it would take a British record transfer fee to buy him, and that's presuming Newcastle even entertain a sale at any price.
A December 'exclusive' from The Telegraph stated it will cost £150-plus to prise Isak away from the club, with Toon chiefs 'relax' about his future and the player 'happy' and settled in the North East.
Since then, The Telegraph have revealed that Arsenal 'do not have the money' to sign the 25-year-old this summer, adding that no European heavyweight has the available cash to afford him.
Some will point to Real Madrid, but they have Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, while links to Barcelona via the Spanish media seem to be forgetting their ongoing financial issues.
There may come a time where he moves on and joins one of the biggest clubs in the world to win titles and Champions Leagues, but right now it seems Sky Sports are forgetting what he's got at Newcastle, our ambition to build with him and the mammoth asking price we have zero reason to budge from this summer.
