Newcastle United are confident that they will not need to listen to any bids from Arsenal or Liverpool for Alexander Isak.

Arsenal and Liverpool have been sent a public message of warning by Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales over any potential summer bids for talisman Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international has long been linked with the Gunners and the Reds as he continues to score for fun on Tyneside. Isak, who arrived at St James’ Park from Real Sociedad for £63 million in 2022, has plundered 22 goals in all competitions this season already.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are in desperate need of added firepower ahead of next season, struggling without the injured Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as it stands. Isak has been touted as a prime target for the North London side, but would not come cheap.

Arsenal and Liverpool linked with £125m Newcastle United man

In February, Fichajes claimed that Newcastle United would want at least £125 million to let Isak leave the North East. Last week, The Mirror reported that Arsenal could look to sell key first team players Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in order to fund such a monstrous bid.

However, any such efforts may not come with the desired effect of an Isak transfer. Quoted in NewcastleWorld, Eales has issued a strong message to any clubs who may be looking at bidding for Isak.

He said: “We're in a position now where because of the fact we were able to move a couple of players in January (2024) that weren't really impacting on minutes on the pitch. We've got that wish and desire to keep our key players, they're all under long-term contracts.

“So from that perspective we have no intention at all of those players being moved on, and we're not under the gun or anything like that. We've got an ownership that is ambitious, wants the best for the club. So from that perspective, it'd be crazy for us to consider it.”

Darren Eales ‘frustrated’ by transfer speculation

Eales did accept that speculation was part of football but shared his frustrations about the Isak transfer talk. He acknowledged that the Magpies would need to reach the top of the football pyramid in order to hold on to such talent long term.

He continued: “It is part of football. You would rather have people talking about players than not in the sense we know he is a world class player and he is somebody, obviously, other clubs would covet because he is an incredible player.

“It is part and parcel of the world we live in, but it is frustrating. It is part of what football is, everybody wants to have a story [transfer speculation] and talk about it but when you think about the growth of Newcastle we have the ambition to be a top club.

“There is a sense of annoyance as we are almost seen as the next category down and it is fair game to talk about our players but we are striving as a club to be at the top table and we want our best players here and to be honest it shows the value Isak has that they talk about him all the time.”

In other news, Arsenal defender William Saliba is being courted by Real Madrid with Fabrizio Romano confirming the La Liga giants’ current stance.