Alexander Isak is swiftly becoming one of European football's elite centre-forwards under Eddie Howe at Newcastle. The Swedish international penned a six-year deal at St. James's Park in 2022, signing from Real Sociedad for a club record £63million. Isak's debut campaign was hindered by a thigh problem, though he still managed to net 11 goals. However, the 25-year-old has shone over the past two years. Last term, he notched a stunning 21 league goals, and this season has been no different. Isak is already nearing last year's haul with 17 goals in just 21 league matches, and this has aided Howe's Magpies to top-four contention.

Alas, these feats have come with speculation. Arsenal have long held a reported interest in the Swede. This situation, which has even seen Howe come and out plead with his players to ignore such "noise", is indicative of the level Isak has ascended to. It even draws similarities to the scenario Erling Haaland once found himself enduring before his move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund. "I think it comes with the territory now, to be honest," was Newcastle manager Howe's admission when asked about the relentless speculation that surrounds Isak. "Maybe in my very early days that would have maybe left more of an impression, those comments. But, I think when you're in the position I’m in now, you sort of ignore it, and it’s irrelevant.

"There will be so much talk, noise and rumour, and you can't control it all. You can't even begin to try, so you just have to ignore it and focus on the facts, I think. Our players are loved by us, wanted by us and we’ve got massive games to come. We need them to perform so their focus can only be on what they're delivering in the here and now.". Isak's goalscoring prowess initially drew the Gunners and other club's interest over the summer when it became apparent that Newcastle were perhaps in the market to sell star names thanks to the prospect of potential profit and sustainability rules breaches.

While no such deal panned out, the sheer talent that Isak has become - scoring in eight successive top-flight games this season - and Arsenal's lack of a centre-forward have meant that constant rumours run rife. In the Premier League, perhaps the only marksman who could lay a glove on the Swedish talisman is City's Haaland. The Norwegian, who, along with Cole Palmer, was one of only two players to have bested Isak's tally of 21 league goals last campaign, underwent a similar type of treatment to what the 25-year-old faces when he was setting Bundesliga goal-scoring records in 2021.

This "noise" generated after Haaland hit 50 German top-flight goals in just 50 games - similar to the chatter impacting Isak - ended up negatively impacting his former club, Dortmund, according to their sporting director Sebastian Kehl, with the striker becoming something of a 'burden on the dressing room'. "In the end, the Haaland issue became a burden in the locker room," Kehl told German publication Sport Bild in 2022. "As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment.

"He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful.". While Howe's statements somewhat indicate that the rumours swirling around Isak are taking a toll - though perhaps not as serious as Haaland's speculation once had on Dortmund - should interest from those courting Isak be ramped up, then Newcastle could be facing a dilemma.

Though through no fault of his own, Isak has played his way into becoming one of, if not the most sought-after Premier League striker, and this has forced the Magpies' hand. The Telegraph reports that Isak's employers will look to tie him down to a new and improved contract immediately. Completing such an extension will now be priority No. 1 for Howe and Newcastle as they look to put to bed harmful rumours, similar to those that tainted Haaland's Bundesliga tenure, and secure the future of the star striker firing them into Champions League hope.

Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.