- Eddie Howe thinks one persuasive factor can help Toon keep hold of top stars
- Alexander Isak hit his first hat-trick for Newcastle at the weekend at Ipswich
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Newcastle can cling on to £100million man Alexander Isak if they qualify for the Champions League, says Eddie Howe.
Howe believes on-field success is the most important determiner for whether a star wants to stay put – even above contractual matters.
Isak is tied down with Toon until 2028 but has caught the eye of Arsenal and Newcastle have been keen to firm up his future with a new deal.
However, as Mail Sport reported, extension talks broke down in October and Isak’s camp were doubtful about Newcastle’s progress, with Champions League football a personal priority for the striker.
Newcastle sit eighth in the Premier League and are five points off fourth place, where they finished in 2022-23 in Eddie Howe’s first full season.
‘He’s had a brilliant couple of seasons for us and he looks like he’s hitting his best rhythm now. He’s such a valuable player for us,’ said Howe.
Eddie Howe says securing Champions League football is the best way to persuade stars such as Alexander Isak to stay
Howe says that success on the pitch comes above other contractual considerations
Contract talks between Newcastle and Isak broke down in october and Arsenal are understood to be interested
‘We’re in the semi-final of a cup and that’s a massive thing for everyone on the horizon that brings real positivity. Our league form is improving and if we can continue to improve we’ll put ourselves in a good position.
‘Everything is linked to that. But, away from the football, we have a duty to look after the players, to treat them well and give them the environment that they really enjoy. Then there is other stuff behind that in terms of their contracts. So, it’s a multi-linked thing, but on the pitch is the most important.
‘Success on the pitch is everything. We said last year that we wanted European football, in any respect. But, of course, the Champions League is the one that everyone wants more than anything else. We will give our best to have the best season that we can. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be very successful this year.’
His comments come after Isak’s first hat-trick for Newcastle on Saturday in a 4-0 demolition of Ipswich Town.
After that match, Howe admitted that ‘there’s no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go’ and said ‘I would love for him to contribute to us winning a trophy’.
The Swede has scored 46 goals in 85 games since moving from Real Sociedad in a £63million switch in 2022.
Questions over his future have once again been magnified as he has hit 10 goals in 11 games.
Sources told Newcastle Confidential in october that Isak’s camp would seek a move if the Magpies do not qualify for the Champions League, with Arsenal having declared an interest.
Isak is contracted until 2028 but hhis camp may seek a move if Toon miss out on the Champions League
Howe added on Monday: ‘When I signed him I looked at his game in depth. With Alex, his all-round game, I felt he could do a little bit of everything – dropping deep to link play, being a creative link between our midfield and our attack, but also bring those stand-out qualities individually where he can make something happen out of nothing.
‘He had, from that one season where he scored a huge amount of goals in LaLiga – which at such a young age isn’t easy to do. I believed he had the prowess to deliver that into the Premier League, albeit there’s always a slight question mark with the physicality of this league.
‘And that’s where I have to give him a huge compliment because he’s made that step from the various leagues that he’s been in to come to the Premier League. I think he’s done really well, he’s almost taken everything in his stride.
‘We wouldn’t have committed the fee that we did to the transfer if we didn’t believe that he could play and do well straight away.
‘Now, he’s done that and he deserves a lot of credit for it because it’s not an easy thing to do, to transfer leagues in the way that he has, and I just hope it’s a start for him.’
