Alexander Isak has written himself into Newcastle United folklore. The winning goal in the cup final that ended 70 years of Wembley pain, his place in the history books is assured.
Alan Shearer already has a statue. Eddie Howe could be next. But if Isak continues the way he’s going, he could end up with one bigger than them all.
Newcastle will start negotiations with the Swede’s representatives soon on a new, improved contract that will make the striker the best paid player in the club’s history. Isak still has three years left on his current deal but the opportunity to reward the star with a deal befitting of his status at the club will be presented.
Newcastle have been firm in their intention to keep hold of Isak in the summer, despite a number of clubs sniffing around him. The 25-year-old is top of the shopping wishlist for both Arsenal and Liverpool, while Paris St Germain have also been credited with an interest in him.
Newcastle are looking to add another striker to their ranks this summer, but as support and competition for Isak, not as a replacement. Top of their own list is Lille frontman Jonathan David, who has been scouted extensively by the club with the Canadian’s own contract expiring at the end of the season.
The Ligue 1 hotshot’s status as a free agent means he won’t be without offers, and Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona are also keen on the player. Those clubs who can offer him Champions League football may stand the best chance of securing his signature, but French legend Emmanuel Petit has offered a warning to clubs trying to sign him and Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward who has also been linked with Arsenal.
Instead, Petit continues to disrespect Newcastle by claiming Isak would thrive in a ‘better side’ than the Magpies. Perhaps he’s forgetting about the 4-0 results over two-legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final, or the fact Arsenal haven’t won a trophy since 2020.
“Arsenal have been linked with a move for Jonathan David, but I think it would be too soon for him,” Petit told yaysweepstakes.com. “Many players have done well with Lille and then struggled elsewhere, Nicolas Pepe is the warning.
“I have a huge respect for Jonathan David. I think he’s got great qualities, but if you want to compete with the best, you have to sign one of the best players in the world for the positions you need. You need to sign one of the top three strikers in the world and one of them is already in the Premier League in Alexander Isak. He would bring incredible things to Arsenal.
“He doesn’t get injured, he has huge ambitions, he has desire, he has quality. He is physical, fast, scores goals, gets assists. He is a nightmare to play against.
“Okay, he’s expensive, but do you want to improve? Do you want to fight for the title? Do you want to fight for the biggest trophies or do you want to stay second or third in the table?
“Ask yourself the right question and find the right answers. I have respect for players like David and Benjamin Sesko, but Isak is the one. Imagine him playing in an even better side, how good he could be.”
Respect? You have a funny way of showing it, Emmanuel. But the club will have to get used to the sneers from pundits like Paul Scholes and Michael Owen, John Barnes and others who will never fully understand Newcastle United and what is being built.
Newcastle United are fully committed to fighting for the biggest trophies of their own. They won’t be sitting back happy with a solitary League Cup triumph.
As Eddie Howe admitted: “I do think we have some iconic players who will go down as legends of the football club in the future, but they have still got to cement that legacy.” That includes Alexander Isak who could end up with the biggest legacy of all.
