Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed strong confidence that star striker Alexander Isak will remain at St James’ Park for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season, despite swirling transfer speculation linking the Swedish international with a move away from the club. The 25-year-old forward, who has become a cornerstone of Newcastle’s attacking ambitions, has attracted interest from Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal, but Howe remains steadfast in his belief that Isak will continue to spearhead the Magpies’ charge in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Isak’s absence from Newcastle’s recent 4-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Celtic sparked intense speculation about his future. The decision to leave the prolific striker out of the squad, despite being fit, was a deliberate move by Howe to shield him from the growing transfer chatter. The Newcastle boss explained that he sent Isak home rather than having him sit in the stands, a decision he felt was necessary to protect the player from the intense scrutiny surrounding his future. “It was my decision,” Howe said post-match. “He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. The last thing he wanted was to be sat in the stand watching; that wasn’t fair to him. But I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window.”
The Sweden international, who scored an impressive 23 Premier League goals last season, is seen as “irreplaceable” by Howe, who has been vocal about his desire to keep the club’s top talents. Newcastle have placed a valuation of over £150m on Isak, a figure that underscores their determination to retain him. The club’s Saudi-backed ownership, along with Howe and his staff, are united in their ambition to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, with Isak at the heart of their plans. “Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit, and so hard to develop,” Howe added. “So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course, we’re desperate to keep him as part of our team.”
Despite Liverpool’s reported interest, which included an informal approach, their pursuit appears to have cooled following their move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie noted that Liverpool’s shift in focus to Ekitike significantly boosts Newcastle’s chances of retaining Isak. “I would be hugely surprised if Liverpool came in for Isak on the back of signing Ekitike,” Downie said. “With Ekitike going to Liverpool, I feel Isak is likely to remain as a Newcastle player this season.”
Howe’s confidence is further bolstered by Isak’s happiness at the club. The striker, who has three years remaining on his contract, is reportedly content with his teammates and the environment at Newcastle. “All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle,” Howe stated. “He loves the players he plays with, the staff, the team. I’ve never had any issue with him other than enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself.”
The Magpies are preparing for a busy pre-season tour in Singapore and South Korea, where Isak is expected to join the squad for friendlies against Arsenal, a K-League Select XI, and Tottenham Hotspur. Howe’s management of Isak’s minutes during pre-season reflects a cautious approach to ensure the striker is in peak condition for the challenges ahead. With Newcastle back in the Champions League, the club’s hierarchy is keen to avoid selling key players like Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, or Anthony Gordon, as they aim to build on their recent successes.
However, the transfer window has not been without its challenges for Newcastle. The departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell and the sale of midfielder Sean Longstaff to Leeds, driven by Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), have added complexity to their summer plans. Despite these setbacks, Howe remains focused on strengthening the squad, with a right-sided centre-back and another striker on the wish list. The recent signing of Anthony Elanga for £55m is a step in the right direction, but Howe admitted the club has missed out on several targets. “We’ve had a frustrating time in missing out on targets,” he said. “But we’re confident we can get in some players who can strengthen the team.”