Eddie Howe will not sell Alexander Isak this summer as rumours of an Arsenal bid grow stronger

Arsenal have been linked with an interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak for a while and as the transfer window draws closer the rumours grow stronger.

For Newcastle fans, the thought of selling Alexander Isak is, well, unthinkable. Along with Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, the Swede is seen as part of the spine of Eddie Howe's team that he's building the rest of the body around.

Those three were the first "big names" through the door and were expected to be the base on which Eddie Howe builds Newcastle's title-chasing team, but like Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak is constantly being linked with a move away.

It's safe to say we don't have to worry about Sven Botman this summer with the giant Dutchman out until the end of the year at least after ACL surgery.

Eddie Howe has no interest in letting Isak go this summer

This morning Craig Hope has reported that Eddie Howe has said that Alexander Isak will not be sold this summer amid all the links to Arsenal.

"He's an outstanding talent and no one connected with Newcastle would want to lose him.

"He was excellent on Saturday. He didn't score in open play but his two penalties were outstanding and his general play was very good. His link play, his athleticism, he looked in a really good place."

There's still more to come from Isak

Isak has shown his quality time and time again for Newcastle, but there's also a sense that there's still more to come from the 24-year-old.

His brief Newcastle career so far has been hampered by injuries and the stop-start nature of his time here has seen him rarely have enough games to string together a decent run of form. That being said, he's still managed 14 Premier League goals this season.

I said many times in pre-season that I expected Isak to go toe-to-toe with Erling Haaland for this season's Golden Boot, and I maintain that had it not been for injuries, he'd definitely be right up there as he's one of the best finishers in the league.

We just hope that Howe sticks by his word and Isak is here for a good while yet.