Arsenal have been given a huge boost to their hopes of signing Alexander Isak in the summer. The 25-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium on numerous occasions in the past, with interest dating back to his days at Real Sociedad.
Isak, who sees his contract at St. James' Park expire in June 2028, has featured 23 times for Newcastle United in the Premier League this season, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists. Playing a key role in Eddie Howe's side, the Sweden international has fired the Magpies into the top seven.
He has also helped Newcastle reach the Carabao Cup final, finding the net against Chelsea and Arsenal en-route to Wembley Stadium. Isak's impressive performances haven't gone under the radar, with numerous top clubs reportedly chasing his signature.
According to Spanish newspaper SPORT, Arsenal are joined by Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona in the race to sign the Swede, who's been given a price tag in excess of €100m (£82.9m). The report states that Isak wants to 'make a leap forward' in the summer, so Newcastle are willing to let him leave Tyneside on two conditions.
SPORT claim the Magpies want a 'fair proposal' that matches the striker's 'market value'. The Spanish newspaper have also noted qualification to the Champions League as a major factor in Newcastle's decision, with Howe eager to hold onto his talisman.
That said, speaking to Swedish publication Fotbal Skanalen in November, as quoted by 90min, Isak claimed he's not thought about his future. He said: "Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumoursduring the season.
"There have been many such years where it has been talked about. It doesn't affect me. I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there.
am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.
"The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out. Much of what I read is not true. So that’s about all I can say about the whole thing."
The Telegraph have recently reported that Newcastle want to reward Isak with a bumper new contract, which is currently set to expire in June 2028, at the end of the season. It's been said that the Magpies also value the forward at 'more than £150m'.