Alexander Isak has distanced himself from rumours linking him with a big-money move to Arsenal, insisting he is ‘very happy’ at Newcastle and ‘loves everything’ about the club.
Despite missing ten games through injury, Isak, 24, finished the season as Newcastle’s top scorer with an impressive return of 25 goals in all competitions for the Magpies.
Isak’s eye-catching form in front of goal has put the forward firmly on the radar of some of Europe’s elite teams and widespread reports suggest Newcastle could be tempted to cash in on their prized possession to keep the club on the right side of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Barcelona have been credited with a strong interest in Isak’s services and it’s understood both Arsenal and Tottenham are plotting bids of £100million to prise the Sweden international away from St James’ Park in the summer transfer window.
However, Eddie Howe has repeatedly underlined that Isak is not for sale and remains a key player for the Toon looking ahead to next season, as the club look to return to the Champions League after missing out on qualification this term.
The likes of Ian Wright, Paul Merson and Ray Parlour have urged Arsenal to spend big on Isak this summer, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah managing a combined total of just nine league goals across the campaign.
But it appears Arsenal may be forced to look elsewhere for added firepower up front after Isak made it clear he was ignoring speculation over his future and not even thinking about a move away from the north east.
In response to the rumours linking him with Arsenal and Barcelona, Isak told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen: ‘I’m enjoying myself very, very much in Newcastle.
‘I just had the best season of my career. That should not be underestimated.
‘I love everything really about the club, the fans, the city.’
Isak added: ‘I actually have no thoughts of a move or anything like that.
‘I enjoy myself fantastically well and am very happy with my life.’
Isak refused to be drawn on rumours that Newcastle could be forced to offload him to balance the books and comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
‘It is not something I am speculating on,’ he replied.
‘Within the team and the club there has been no talk or drama around it.
‘I have not received any information from the club that they would need to sell me.’
Isak admits injury problems hampered his progress in the first half of the season before he was able to find his feet, with his goals helping Newcastle finish seventh in the Premier League table.
‘It has been good, especially the second part of the season. I had some niggles and injuries for the first period,’ he continued.
‘It was a bit difficult to find my flow, but in the last few months I have played regularly and gained continuity. It has shown in the performances as well.’
Isak’s tally of 21 goals took him past Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s previous record (17) for a Swedish player in the Premier League and the striker is ‘very satisfied’ with his return.
‘It’s fun to have a record in Swedish football. Then I don’t exactly think of Zlatan,’ he went on.
‘But I am mostly satisfied with my season. I scored a lot of goals in a league like the Premier League. I think mostly about my own contribution and I am very satisfied with it.’
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