Alexander Isak has reportedly put forward a staggering demand for a £300,000-a-week contract to extend his stay at Newcastle United. This lofty salary request would catapult the Swedish striker among the Premier League’s highest earners.
Isak’s future has been one of the headline stories this transfer window, with Liverpool keeping a keen eye on the striker’s situation despite Newcastle’s firm stance that he is not for sale. The 25-year-old is also said to have attracted attention from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, who are believed to be contemplating a bid for his services.
However, Newcastle, seeing Isak as integral to their ambitions for the upcoming season, have so far resisted all overtures. According to talkSPORT, Isak is seeking what constitutes a colossal 250% pay rise from his current contract, penned back in August 2022. This new deal would see him comfortably become the highest earner at St James’ Park, surpassing teammate Bruno Guimaraes.
League-wide, such a wage packet would place Isak alongside the likes of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford as joint sixth-best paid in the Premier League, with only Raheem Sterling, Virgil van Dijk, Casemiro, Mo Salah, and Erling Haaland ahead.
Newcastle brass are reportedly intent on keeping Isak’s new deal in the region of £200,000-a-week, according to sources at TBR Football. While Newcastle have the financial muscle to afford such an outlay, given the immense backing of their owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, they must navigate the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Regulations.
The Magpies’ transfer dealings have seen them miss out on several targets this summer, most notably Hugo Ekitike, who appears Liverpool-bound. Anthony Elanga remains their only completed incoming transfer to date.
Eddie Howe made the decision to leave Isak out of Newcastle’s pre-season clash with Celtic, opting to send the striker back home amid swirling speculation. “It was my decision,” Howe clarified. “He travelled to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. It wasn’t fair for him to sit in the stands.”
Despite the uncertainty, Howe remains optimistic that Isak will remain a Newcastle player beyond this transfer window. “We’re desperate to keep him as part of our team,” Howe asserted. “Your top players are invaluable. I’ve spoken to Alex and, while there’s noise around him, he’s trained really well.”
One of Isak’s representatives suggested to Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah that a decision regarding Isak’s next move is imminent, whether that means continuing his journey on Tyneside or seeking pastures new.
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