- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
The Boot Room understands Newcastle United are ready to open contract talks with star striker Alexander Isak.
Alexander Isak has four-years left on his current deal but he is not amongst the highest earners and TBR can reveal that Isak, like his team-mates is set to be hit with a further wage reduction.
Sources have confirmed to TBR that former sporting director Dan Ashworth, currently on gardening leave from Newcastle ahead of a move Manchester United, implicated a clause across the board that would see a reduction in wages if the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle ready to open contract talks with Alexander Isak
Now that has come to pass, Newcastle’s players are faced with the prospect of losing up to 20% of their wages – which in Isak’s case is a huge blow after a sensational campaign for The Magpies.
Now Newcastle are now ready to reward Isak with a wage increase – putting him on par with Bruno Guimaraes as the club’s leading earner.
Isak’s form has brought him to the attention of a host of clubs around Europe and TBR sources confirm that Arsenal are confirmed admirers of the Swedish star and have been since his time at Borussia Dortmund.
A perfect way for Magpies to kick off their summer plans
It would be a real statement if Newcastle could convince Isak to sign a new contract in the near future. Eddie Howe has suggested that Isak has the potential to become a footballing great.
His record from his time on Tyneside is superb, particularly when you consider the struggles he had with Borussia Dortmund and his relatively quiet final season with Real Sociedad.
If Newcastle did sell Isak, they could surely expect to receive a hefty sum. But replacing him may still be incredibly difficult given how well he has settled at St James’ Park over the last 18 months.
It would certainly be a fantastic start to their summer if they could kick it off by announcing that Isak has committed what could be the best years of his career to the Magpies.
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