Alexander Isak, a prime target for both Arsenal and Chelsea, is reportedly set to discuss a new contract with Newcastle United. According to TBR Football, Newcastle are eager to secure the Swedish striker’s long-term commitment.

Isak has been in exceptional form this season, leading Newcastle’s scoring charts with 19 goals across all competitions. This stellar performance has made him a hot prospect for a big transfer to another Premier League club.

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, considers Isak a “top target,” and Chelsea are also very keen on signing him. However, Newcastle are confident they can hold onto their star player despite the interest from rivals.

TBR Football reports that Newcastle United are intent on securing Alexander Isak’s future with the club by proposing a new contract. This deal would include a significant salary increase, reflecting his vital role in the team.

Currently, Isak earns £120,000 per week, but the proposed raise could push his weekly wage over £200,000, making him the top earner at Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is reportedly considering signing a new contract with Newcastle, but according to TBR Football, his final decision might hinge on whether the team secures a spot in the Champions League.

On the other hand, moving to London clubs like Arsenal or Chelsea would almost certainly mean playing in European competitions. Both teams hold Isak in high regard, but they would need to meet Newcastle’s hefty valuation, which exceeds £150 million for the Swedish star.

Dean Jones from GIVEMESPORT has exclusively revealed that this high price tag might already be putting Arsenal off, with fears that they have “almost no chance” of securing Isak’s transfer.

Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle eyeing £55m centre-back wanted by Chelsea and Bayern

After missing out on a centre-back in recent transfer windows, it will be intriguing to see if Newcastle United finds a long-term successor for Fabian Schar this summer.

Attempts to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi fell through in August, and in January, Abdukodir Khusanov was on the radar, but Manchester City clinched the deal for the ex-Lens player.

Paul Mitchell, clearly focused on this position as well as the elusive right-winger, has seen another name emerge in recent news.

Heading into the summer transfer window, Newcastle seems to have their sights set on another Bournemouth defender, especially with (hopefully) funds available to spend.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Newcastle are among the clubs interested in Dean Huijsen, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich also in the race.

The 19-year-old has impressed in his debut Premier League season, and he’s not the only Bournemouth centre-back Newcastle have been linked with. Mark Douglas from the i previously noted interest in Illia Zabarnyi as well.

Speaking on his Youtube channel on all things transfers, Romano said: “Chelsea are one of several clubs interested in Dean Huijsen, then there is interest in Bayern Munich. Also Newcastle are showing interest in Huijsen.

“They are doing very well and in case they are in the Champions League next season, investment in a centre-back could be made and Huijsen is one of the players they are monitoring.

“He has a release clause in his contract valid in the summer, so Huijsen will be, for sure, one to watch in the summer transfer window.”

Missed opportunity last summer?

While Newcastle United were in negotiations with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi that ultimately fell through, Bournemouth managed to secure what’s been called one of the summer’s best signings with Dean Huijsen.

Newcastle had been linked with the Dutch-born defender before his transfer to Eddie Howe’s former team, but Bournemouth clinched the deal for £15 million.

Now, just six months on, it’s rumored that Huijsen’s release clause is set at £55 million, indicating that Bournemouth could make a quick £40 million profit if he were to depart this summer.

The Italian media has been relentless in their coverage of Sandro Tonali since his return to football after a ten-month suspension.

Tonali has been in sensational form for both Newcastle United and Italy, yet this hasn’t quelled the bizarre rumors in Italy about his supposed desire to return to Serie A.

There have been all sorts of fantastical claims, including one that suggested Newcastle would loan Tonali back to a Serie A club during the January transfer window.

Another ludicrous story floated the idea of a direct swap between Tonali and Juventus’ Douglas Luiz, who has underperformed significantly, barely featuring in the league.

Italian media has even gone as far as to claim that Tonali is unhappy at Newcastle, yearning for a return to Italy, despite his consistent statements expressing his happiness, gratitude, and commitment to Newcastle United and its fans.

Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, has now put these rumors to bed with a stark reality check for the Serie A clubs, Italian journalists, and fans. Speaking to La Repubblica, Riso made it clear that even if Newcastle were inexplicably willing to sell, no Italian club could afford Tonali.

Newcastle had paid AC Milan €58.9 million (about £50 million) for him in the summer of 2023, and since then, his value has arguably doubled, given his performances at just 24 years old.

Tonali’s current form places him as one of the Premier League’s top performers, second perhaps only to teammate Alexander Isak in terms of impact and value to Newcastle.

The idea of building the team around him, along with other young stars like Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento, is thrilling for Newcastle fans.

Riso’s comments serve as a blunt reminder of the financial realities in football, highlighting the gulf in spending power between the Premier League and Serie A, and putting an end to the speculative and often baseless reporting surrounding Tonali’s future.

“Sandro is one of the best midfielders in the world.

“He now has a value that Italian clubs would struggle to be able to afford.

“I imagine a career for him far from Serie A.”

Callum Wilson breaks silence to provide big Newcastle United injury update after Birmingham win

Callum Wilson is back in action and scoring for Newcastle United after a season plagued by injuries.

He made his first start of the season in the FA Cup match against Birmingham City on Saturday, contributing to the team’s 3-2 victory by scoring one of Newcastle’s three goals. Prior to this game, Wilson had only made five appearances off the bench, having been sidelined by a hamstring injury in December, which was his second injury setback within a few months.

With no new signings in January and the departure of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly thinning the squad, Wilson’s fitness is crucial for Newcastle United as they push through to the end of the season.

“I’ve worked hard to get into the position now to be able to start games again,” Wilson told the BBC a few moments after the cup win. “I didn’t want to come back too soon so that I was coming off the bench trying to get my fitness up.

“So I’m trying to just basically play as many games as I can now from now to the end of the season. Help the team, get some goals and things like that. Yeah it’s been frustrating to say the least, but hopefully on the other side of it now and can just contribute from here out.”

Newcastle have shown considerable patience with Callum Wilson, taking additional care behind the scenes to make sure he’s fully ready after his recent injuries.

However, there remains an element of hope and prayer, as Eddie Howe keeps his fingers crossed that the seasoned striker will be pivotal in the crucial final stages of the season.

“He is very confident about his body and has gone through recovery slightly differently this time,” the Newcastle boss said this week. “He has done a lot of work for this moment and he feels robust. In his eyes, he feels ready to start games. Fingers crossed his body responds in a positive way.”

Newcastle faced further injury woes during their win against Birmingham, with Dan Burn limping off in the second half. Anthony Gordon also missed the entire match due to a minor quad problem, which Eddie Howe is hopeful won’t be too severe.

According to a recent report by Fichajes, Real Sociedad’s midfielder Martin Zubimendi has become a hot prospect for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Real Madrid and Arsenal leading the race to sign him.

Both clubs are looking to strengthen their teams for the next season, sparking a fierce competition between La Liga and the Premier League.

Zubimendi has proven himself vital for Real Sociedad with his outstanding vision, tactical intelligence, and accurate passing. These skills have caught the eye of both Real Madrid and Arsenal, who see him as a perfect fit for their future strategies.

Real Madrid are keeping track

Within Real Madrid, Zubimendi is seen as a future cornerstone of their midfield.

As Luka Modric winds down his illustrious career and with Toni Kroos now retired, the club views the young player as essential to keep their stronghold in both Spanish and European football.

On the other hand, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta is eager to attract Zubimendi to London. Arteta has proven his knack for convincing transfers in the past, and his pursuit of Zubimendi highlights his drive to fortify Arsenal’s midfield.

Future uncertain

The financial clout of Arsenal in the Premier League poses a major hurdle for Real Sociedad, even though Zubimendi remains contracted to the Basque team.

Currently, Zubimendi’s future is up in the air. Real Madrid is banking on the prestige of playing for one of Spain’s most decorated clubs to sway him.

Meanwhile, Arsenal is aggressively pursuing him, ready to offer lucrative deals.

Zubimendi’s choice will be a pivotal moment in the upcoming transfer period, as both clubs watch closely for his next step.

Arteta have new star to unleash after Martinelli injury that could save millions

Gabriel Martinelli’s recent hamstring injury has dealt Arsenal a significant blow in their attacking lineup. The 23-year-old Brazilian is expected to be out for over a month following an injury sustained in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.

This injury means he’ll miss crucial Premier League matches against Leicester, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest. His status for the upcoming games against Manchester United and Chelsea is also in doubt, as well as potentially both legs of the Champions League round of 16, depending on the schedule.

The absence of Martinelli exacerbates Arsenal’s forward line crisis, particularly with Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury and Bukayo Saka out until at least March with a hamstring tear. Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment over not securing new signings in January, pointing to a lack of firepower upfront.

Currently, Kai Havertz, who scored in a recent 5-1 victory over Manchester City, has been inconsistent, leaving Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard, and youngster Ethan Nwaneri as the primary fit attacking options. This situation could jeopardize Arsenal’s title aspirations.

However, Arteta might look to the club’s academy for solutions. Ethan Nwaneri, at 17, has had a notable season with seven goals in 23 appearances. Other promising talents include Myles Lewis-Skelly, Andre Harriman-Annous, Khayon Edwards, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Max Dowman, and Osman Kamara. Harriman-Annous, with 12 goals in 22 games, stands out as a versatile forward who could potentially make an impact if called upon.

While there’s no immediate indication of these youngsters being thrust into the first team, their performances suggest they could be part of Arteta’s plans to navigate this challenging period in Arsenal’s season.