Arsenal are ready to move on from their interest in Alexander Isak after identifying Sporting Lisbon hotshot Victor Gyökeres as one of their main summer targets.
The arrival of the Gunners' new transfer chief, Andrea Berta, also casts fresh doubt on whether Arsenal will push for Isak under new boardroom leadership on the recruitment front. The former Atletico Madrid sporting director did not make a move for Isak while in charge of the La Liga side as Newcastle swooped for the striker during his Real Sociedad days.
With questions over Arsenal's spending pot, the signing of Isak's Sweden team-mate Gyökeres would cost significantly less with a price tag of £58.5m, £25m less than his release clause. Newcastle have no interest in selling Isak and would place an astronomical asking price on Isak's shoulders if his representatives began to make a fuss.
At his Press conference to preview the game against Leicester City on Monday night, Howe spoke glowingly about Isak having a bright future at St James' Park. Howe said: "There is loads more to come and I believe that with everybody. If I didn’t then I’d be the wrong coach for him."
Isak goes into the game against the Foxes nursing a groin injury, but he has missed only three Premier League games this season and has been reliable. Howe said: "He is very professional, I have to say that. Regarding Alex, he has his own. I wouldn’t say physio, but he has a physio that he uses in conjunction with the football club that he’ll fly in and fly out, but we certainly back that. We’ve got good relationships with the people that try and look after him.
"Of course we have our own staff and several staff members here who he is very close with. It is about building those relationships and that trust so that he knows that we’re doing the right work for him and his body and then of course Alex has to be professional himself in the times when we don’t see him. He has to look after himself and dedicate himself and dedicate himself to football. It is the only way he is going to get to the absolute top and maximise his career."
Isak's contract still runs to 2028 and Newcastle plan to sit down and offer the striker a new deal later this year.
