Alexander Isak gets a public ultimatum from manager Howe to focus on getting back to form ahead of Sunday’s Chelsea game.
Alexander Isak has been given a stern word by his boss Eddie Howe as he looks for an improved deal from the club.
The Englishman has said that extending the Swede’s contract is far from the club’s minds as they look to consolidate this season. Isak’s current contract with Newcastle runs until the summer of 2028.
Despite the young striker going through a fallow period in front of goal, he remains a wanted man by Premier League clubs. Arsenal are rumored to be at the forefront to secure his services. However, PSR constrains are also a factor for the club’s reluctance in getting into contract negotiations.
“I want Alex to be focused on football,” said Howe as he prepared for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea. The week also features a home midweek Carabao Cup tie against Enzo Maresca’s side followed by the Premier League visit of Arsenal. “If that’s him saying I’ve got four years left on my contract, I’m happy at the football club. I just want to play my best football, that’s the ideal world.
“But nothing in football’s straightforward so I’m sure there will be ongoing discussions between Alex, his representatives and the club. But my main job at the moment is just to get Alex fit and playing his best football. Enjoying his best football and scoring goals.”
“Alex can only help his situation by playing well,” said the manager. “Every decision we make has a knock-on effect. For contract renewals, there’s a knock-on effect for PSR. And we have to make sure we don’t put ourselves in a position where we can’t act freely in the transfer windows because of what we’ve done with individual player contracts.
“It’s slightly complex. We have to be really careful regarding our spending. It’s not a clearcut situation with Alex. We love him and are desperate for him to stay for many years and score loads and loads of goals. But I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”
Howe is mostly reliant on a striker he feels has little competition because Callum Wilson will miss the next three games due to “tightness” in his body after recovering from back and hamstring ailments. Isak is still healing from a fractured toe, which is a complicating factor.
“He’s got incredible natural ability. Really good with the ball, really intelligent and a deadly goalscorer when he’s at his absolute best.
“I’d be very hesitant to swap him for anybody in world football. But we haven’t quite seen that devastating, all round game so far this season. For me that’s been down to a couple of niggling injuries that keep setting him back. But I think he’s getting close to prime physical condition so this will be a big week for him.”