Newcastle Won’t Budge on Isak: Arsenal Faces Record Fee Hurdle

Newcastle has set a record fee for Alexander Isak, making it super tough for Arsenal to snag the star striker!

February 19, 2025
1:28 pm

Newcastle United has shut the door on any chance of selling star striker Alexander Isak, setting a jaw-dropping fee that could make him the second most expensive player in football history. Arsenal’s long-time interest in the Swedish forward has hit a big roadblock, as Newcastle wants nearly double the reported £82.9 million fee just to think about a bid.

Since his club-record £63 million arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak, 25, has quickly become one of Europe’s hottest forwards. He made history by being the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to score 20 Premier League goals in a season, and he’s already bagged 17 league goals this term. Beyond his scoring skills, Isak is seen as the key to finally ending Newcastle’s 70-year major trophy drought, with the Carabao Cup Final coming up next month.

Newcastle’s message is clear: they’re not selling their star striker and want to build a team around him. Isak’s contract is reportedly worth about £130,000 a week, keeping him tied to the club until 2028. Manager Eddie Howe has repeatedly said Isak is not for sale, brushing off recent transfer chatter. “With Isak, he’s got a long contract anyway, and we have to be careful with our spending due to PSR,” Howe mentioned earlier this season. “We love him and want him to stay for many years, and I don’t see any short-term issues with his contract.”

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While there have been whispers that Isak might consider a move for a “fair proposal” – especially after he mentioned wanting to “make a leap forward” – Newcastle is standing firm. Reports suggest that even if offers come in, Newcastle won’t accept a fee that only gives them a small profit. They’ve set the bar super high, with any potential deal likely to surpass the fees paid for big names like PSG’s record £198 million signing of Neymar or the £163 million for Kylian Mbappe.

This record fee demand has sent shockwaves through the transfer market. Arsenal, who have struggled to find a reliable striker during their title race, were hoping Isak could fill that gap. They’ve been linked with him for months, but with Newcastle refusing to entertain offers unless they get nearly double the initial fee, Arsenal’s hopes have taken a big hit. Meanwhile, other top clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea have also shown interest, but Newcastle’s tough stance means the Swedish star is unlikely to leave Tyneside anytime soon.

Isak himself is staying focused on his current challenge. In a recent chat, he brushed off the transfer rumors, saying, “I am fully focused on my task here at Newcastle. There are many rumors, but most of what I read isn’t true. I’m not thinking about anything else.” Still, the hefty transfer fee shows that Newcastle is ready to invest big in building a team around their star striker, making any deal involving him a landmark moment in football.