Alexander Isak has scored in a way that makes you stop and watch. His calmness in the box has turned him into one of Newcastle United’s most vital figures, and his continued rise has fueled speculation linking him to Arsenal. That speculation, however, was met with a firm rebuke by Alan Shearer, who insists that Isak should remain at St James’ Park regardless of the fee offered. For a club desperate to stay among England‘s elite, Shearer’s position is that Isak’s talent and consistency trump any economic windfall.
Shearer famously carried the banner for Newcastle’s attack over the years. He seems convinced that letting Isak go, even for around $190 million, would be a self-defeating move. “No is the answer,” Shearer said on The Rest Is Football. “Who would they go out and get that would come into Newcastle and do a similar job? We know that center forward is the most important position.”
Newcastle now sits in a far different position than it did just a few seasons ago. With new investment and a rejuvenated side, it has surged into the conversation for domestic cups and, increasingly, a more permanent place in the top four. Isak’s goals are a huge reason why.
A Striker Arsenal Craves, A Star Newcastle Needs
He has delivered timely finishes and a constant threat up front. Shearer believes there’s no point in sacrificing that progress, especially to a rival that could use his skill set. He says that if Newcastle needs to comply with financial rules, other players should be sold before Isak.
Some see Arsenal’s repeated misses from Kai Havertz and others as reason enough to chase a player like Isak. Mikel Arteta spoke of how Isak was involved in both goals that downed the Gunners in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal, calling the forward a clinical difference-maker. Even so, the next game in that tie moves to Tyneside. Arsenal faces a stiff challenge if it wants to overturn a two-goal deficit in front of Newcastle’s home crowd.
Shearer touched on Arsenal’s hunt for a main striker and acknowledged that a top-class forward could transform Arteta’s side. Yet in the same breath, he questioned why Newcastle would forfeit its best finisher. “If you go out and spend $63 million or $76 million on another striker, who, what, and where? They’re difficult to find,” he said. “When you’ve got a good one, why do you want to let him go for any price?” That question will linger for as long as rumors swirl.
For now, the chatter of a potential transfer seems unlikely to disrupt Newcastle’s ambitions. Isak wants to win, Newcastle wants to win, and Shearer believes the club needs its top scorer if it’s going to compete for silverware. It’s a point that echoes beyond a single player’s valuation. In a league brimming with money, it’s rare to see such unwavering desire to keep hold of a star, but it suggests that Newcastle is no longer content with simply surviving. It wants to conquer. And Isak, according to Shearer and most on Tyneside, will be a key part of the mission.
