'The right athletic profile': £100m striker wanted by Arsenal deemed truly 'unbelievable' after his 12th goal of 2024/25

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak bagged his 12th goal of the season on Boxing Day amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.

TBR Football correspondent Graeme Bailey recently confirmed that Arsenal and Chelsea are long-term admirers of Isak, while Barcelona are also keen.

Liverpool and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on Isak’s situation right now, according to Bailey.

The Sweden international continues to go from strength to strength at Newcastle as he helped his side hammer Aston Villa 3-0 on Boxing Day.

Speaking after the game, Magpies boss Eddie Howe made his feelings clear on Isak ahead of the January transfer window.

READ MORE: What Newcastle fans were heard singing at Aston Villa supporters towards end of 3-0 Boxing Day win

Eddie Howe wouldn’t swap ‘unbelievable’ Alexander Isak ‘for anyone’ amid Arsenal and Liverpool links

Howe, speaking to the press after the match, described Isak as a player with “unbelievable quality” and deemed him the right age and athletic profile.

Worringly – but perhaps unsurprisingly – for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, he stressed that he “wouldn’t swap him for anyone”.

Howe said, as per BBC Sport: “I love Alexander Isak, he has unbelievable quality.

“He’s the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn’t swap him for anyone.”

How much Arsenal and Liverpool may have to pay for Isak

Isak is contracted to Newcastle until the summer of 2028, which means the Magpies’ hand would be strong in negotiations.

Newcastle World previously reported that Newcastle value Isak at £100million, so a lot of negotiations may have to be pencilled in over the coming months.

And with the Magpies in fine form and climbing up the table, their hopes of returning to the Champions League by finishing in the top four are growing with each passing week.

Should Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, it would be even harder for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool to get their hands on Isak.

Newcastle are currently fifth in the table on 29 points, with Arsenal fourth on 33 points, though the Gunners currently have a game in hand.