Alexander Isak and His Exit Price: Newcastle Aims to 'Scare' Barça and Other Giants

The Newcastle board has made it clear their plan to 'scare' FC Barcelona and other European giants in the upcoming summer transfer market. The latest reports indicate an absolutely prohibitive exit price for the 25-year-old forward, which would be around €180 million. Even clubs with the financial power of Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain would not be able to put that much money on the table for the '14'.

For Barça, the Swedish international is one of the most favored options as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The Stockholm native scored 44 goals and provided 8 assists in 132 official matches with Real Sociedad, but the amount set by the 'Magpies' is completely out of the Blaugrana budget in the medium and long term. For Joan Laporta, an investment of that magnitude would only have one possible protagonist: Erling Haaland.

Newcastle Will Not Lower Their Guard for Isak, Even If They Don't Play in the Next Champions

In that sense, the club's CEO, Darren Eales, made the 'Magpies' stance regarding Isak's future and their key figures clear. Even if the team fails to qualify for the next edition of the Champions League, "there will be no pressure to sell any player", as all their key players "have long-term contracts". In the case of the Swedish forward, his contract with the 'black and white' team runs until the summer of 2028.

For now, the battle for Champions League spots is heating up in the Premier League. Newcastle is ninth with 44 points, but only three behind Manchester City (fifth). In principle, both England and Spain will have an extra spot in the next phase of the European Cup, thanks to the failure of Italian clubs (Juventus and Milan) in the 'play-off' round.

For the 'Magpies' top scorer, missing out on the Champions League could be a tough blow, but the 25-year-old player is clear that the final word about his future will always rest with his club. Newcastle paid €70 million to Real Sociedad for his transfer in 2022, and the '9' has responded with goals to the investment from Saudi prince Mohamed bin Salman. During his time at St. James Park, the Swede has scored 57 goals and provided 9 assists in 98 official matches.