Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has distanced himself from ongoing speculation over a possible exit and says he is fully focused on having a “fantastic season” at St James’ Park.
The 25-year-old scored 21 goals in 30 Premier League games last season to reinforce his status as one of the continent’s most clinical finishers, a form that saw him linked with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The shift to the latter has continued dominate the gossip columns given Arsenal’s indifferent form and their reliance on Kai Havertz to play as a centre-forward, although Isak publicly committed his future to Newcastle in June
Isak has now reiterated his happiness at Newcastle, saying that while on international duty with Sweden he has “never had any problems” at the club and is not thinking of anywhere else.
“Throughout my career, I’ve never really talked or commented on move rumors during the season,” Isak told the Swedish publication. Fotbal Scanalen. “It’s been talked about for many years. It doesn’t affect me. I’m talking about my situation at Newcastle, and I’ve never had a problem with it.
“I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. There are still great opportunities for that. I am not thinking about anything else.”
Isak added: “All I can say is that a lot of information and rumors often come out. A lot of what I read is not true. So that’s all I can say about all this.”
Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe has previously spoken of his desire for Isak to remain at the club for the long term, citing the length of his current contract despite suggestions that talks over new and improved terms have stalled.
“I think with Alex he has a long contract anyway and we have to be very careful with our spending because of the PSR. It’s not a clear cut situation. Every decision we make as a football club has a knock-on effect,” he said Howe.
“We, of course, love Alex and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score a lot of goals for us, but I don’t see any short-term problems with his contract. At the moment, Alex. just focus on se in his football.
“Whether it’s him saying: ‘I’m fine. I have four years left on my contract, I’m happy at the club and I just want to play my best football’. This is the ideal world. But, Of course, nothing in football is simple, so I’m sure there will be ongoing discussions between Alex, his representatives and the club can only help his situation by playing well.”
