Wembley glory win will be nice… but Newcastle need Champions League to keep £150m Alexander Isak from Arsenal and Co

A WEMBLEY CUP triumph will be nice - but it’s Champions League football that Newcastle need to hang on to Alexander Isak long-term. The Swedish superstar showed long-term suitors Arsenal once again exactly what he can do as he helped fire the Magpies to a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons. Isak, 25, tormented Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba from the first whistle on what proved to be a famous night at St James' Park.

Although he failed to add to his 19 goal haul this term, the forward was at his majestic best as the Magpies won 2-0 to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Gunners. That booked them another date under the arch and provided Isak with an opportunity to achieve legendary status on Tyneside in the final next month. It’s been 70 years since the club last won a major cup, and if he can score the winner at Wembley, don’t bet against a statue of him being resurrected outside SJP.

Medals and glory are what every kid dreamed of growing up - but it is regular Champions League football that elite players now need. Isak, of course, has had a taste of that already on Tyneside but the club know they need to return there to stave off interest from the likes of Arsenal and Europe’s top dogs. It’s where the big boys play and the big bucks are paid out. Understandably, fans are starting to get ultra defensive whenever the prospect of his potential departure is brought up.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Especially when Arsenal’s name gets thrown into the conversation. Isak has been continually linked with a move to their Premier League rivals despite being under contract until 2028, a date that leaves Newcastle chiefs quite relaxed about his situation. Sun Sport understands that Isak still remains one of Mikel Arteta’s top targets, and that they will try to go all out to try and get him… even if it costs them the reported £150m price tag.

He is already one of the top earners at Newcastle on £130,000-a-week as well. Isak, a club-record £63m buy from Real Sociedad in 2022, has earned every penny of those wages with his performances on the pitch. Last season he became the first Toon star since Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals. Even finally ending that long trophy-drought may not quite be enough for Isak. And after a slow start to this season he has rediscovered his top form with his recent eight-game scoring run in the Prem.

Although tentative talks over an improved deal may have stalled, they are set to resume in the summer, but it is unlikely to just be the money on offer that proves crucial. And even finally ending that long trophy-drought may not quite be enough for Isak. During a recent interview with Toon’s all-time top marksman Shearer he did little to dampen talk of a potential big-money transfer. When Super Al brought up Erling Haaland’s recent new nine-year deal and asked what was next for Isak, the Magpies ace vaguely replied: “We'll see. You never know.”.

But if Newcastle can build on their cup run and secure a top four finish then that could be pivotal… if not then the speculation won’t go away. And it’s fair to say that his manager Eddie Howe would not be the only one devastated to see Isak leave - even if it was for mega money. The Toon Army have always loved No9s, from Jackie Milburn and Malcolm Macdonald to the likes of Andy Cole and Shearer in more recent times.

However, Isak is a little different, producing magic with 14 on his back, and he is in no rush to follow in the footsteps of those greats named above. Every top star now wants to play their best on the biggest stage - the Champions League. He said: “Many great players have had the No14. You had [David] Ginola from Newcastle and when I signed, out of the numbers that were available, I think that No14 was the most iconic.

“I’m doing well, I’m happy with 14. But, on the other hand, I know the number nine is a special shirt for the fans.”. It was not even out-and-out strikers that Isak grew up idolising either. Spain’s LaLiga was the most-covered football during his childhood years, and that meant it was Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that he tried to emulate. And even now, despite his ruthlessness in front of goal, he has a lot more to his game than just sticking the ball in the onion bag.

He explained: “I was more into dribbling, skills… I liked the street football style. “That’s the player I want to be and enjoy my football out there. That’s when I think that I play my best.”. And every top star now wants to play their best on the biggest stage - the Champions League. Isak even admitted as much himself at the end of 2024, saying: “The whole team are very ambitious. We played Champions League last year and it is in our mind to get back there.