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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot guarantee that star striker Alexander Isak will remain at the club next season, amid intense interest from Arsenal.
Isak has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this campaign, scoring 27 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. However, he missed Newcastle’s 1–0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday due to a groin injury. His absence only added fuel to speculation linking him with a summer move to north London.
Asked after the defeat whether Alexander Isak would definitely stay at St James’ Park beyond this season, Howe responded cautiously: “I never make those guarantees about any player. It’s not to do with Alex’s future — I’d be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.”
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He added: “We want to keep our strongest players. I’ve said that as long as I’ve sat in this seat. We have to keep our best players and bring in more to make us stronger because of the ambition of the club and everybody connected with its long-term success.”
Alexander Isak (Image credit: Getty Images)Despite Newcastle reportedly valuing Isak at £150 million — well above Arsenal’s current transfer record of £105 million for Declan Rice — the Gunners remain admirers of the 25-year-old Sweden international.
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However, Arsenal are also actively pursuing alternatives, and their efforts appear to be bearing fruit. According to reports in Portugal, the Gunners are closing in on a £60 million (€70 million) deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres.
Portuguese outlet Diário de Notícias reports that Sporting president Frederico Varandas is ready to accept Arsenal’s bid without delay. The 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium worth just over €8 million per year.
Viktor Gyokeres (Image credit: Getty Images)Gyökeres has been in sensational form since joining Sporting from Coventry City last summer for around €20 million. The Swedish forward has scored an astonishing 53 goals in 51 matches, playing a central role in back-to-back Primeira Liga titles for the Portuguese side.
New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is said to be leading the charge to secure his signature. Sporting have already begun preparing for life after Gyökeres, with the striker expected to make his final appearance for the club in the Taça de Portugal final against Benfica on May 25 — a match that could see Sporting complete a domestic double for the first time since 2002.
The deal also honours a promise made by Sporting’s leadership last summer to allow Gyökeres to leave in 2025 if he committed to a second season — a promise now being fulfilled a year early amid Arsenal’s strong offer.
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