Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has made his feelings unequivocally clear: Alexander Isak is not for sale. Following a dominant 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town, powered by a stunning hat-trick from the Swedish striker, Howe lauded Isak as a "world-class talent" and stressed the club's determination to keep him at St James' Park as the January transfer window looms.
Isak, who arrived on Tyneside for a club-record £63 million in August 2022, finally etched his name into Newcastle folklore with his first Premier League treble. While it may have taken longer than both the player and manager anticipated, the clinical nature of his three goals against Ipswich served as a potent reminder of his undeniable ability.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring within the first minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse after Jacob Murphy's cross. Following Murphy's own well-taken goal, Isak bagged his second thanks to a gift from the Ipswich goalkeeper, pouncing on a misplaced pass. His hat-trick goal, a predatory finish at the near post from another Murphy assist, capped off a memorable night for both the player and the travelling Geordie faithful.
"Alex is a world-class talent," Howe declared, his voice brimming with admiration. "The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he's got it all."
Isak's performance has propelled him to 10 Premier League goals this season, placing him just three behind the league's leading scorers, Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland. His overall record for Newcastle now stands at an impressive 41 goals in 67 appearances, highlighting his consistent threat in front of goal.
For Isak himself, the hat-trick was a moment of personal satisfaction. "It's been a long time coming for Newcastle, my first one here," he admitted, visibly delighted. "I'm buzzing. Scoring goals will give confidence and help me and the team. It doesn't matter if it's one, two or three."
His achievement also carries historical significance. Isak became only the second Swedish player to score a Premier League hat-trick, joining Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg. Furthermore, he is the first Newcastle player to achieve the feat in the league since Ayoze Perez in 2019, underscoring the rarity of such a performance.
While Howe expressed surprise it took Isak this long to secure his first Newcastle hat-trick, his praise was effusive. "His first hat-trick for Newcastle is a great moment and we take pride in our players playing well."
However, the timing of Isak's brilliance coincides with the imminent opening of the January transfer window, a fact not lost on Howe. Without the distraction of European football this season, Newcastle will be fiercely guarding their prized asset from potential suitors.
"There's no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go," Howe asserted, addressing the inevitable transfer speculation. "He's very much part of our long-term plans. He's first class."
Howe highlighted Isak's ambition and desire to win trophies, expressing his hope that the Swede can achieve that at St James' Park. While acknowledging that contract talks haven't commenced, he emphasized Isak's commitment and popularity within the squad.
"He's motivated and wants to do well. He has big aspirations with his career but he's still relatively young," Howe explained. "His desire to score goals is second to none and regarding his future, everything has been positive. I would love for him to contribute to us winning a trophy."
Beyond his goalscoring prowess, Howe also praised Isak's team ethic and willingness to learn, qualities that make him a valuable asset both on and off the pitch. "He plays for the team, not just for himself, and he's always willing to learn. I can't speak highly enough of him."
Alexander Isak's hat-trick against Ipswich was more than just three goals; it was a statement of intent from a player hitting his stride and a resounding endorsement from his manager. As the transfer window approaches, Newcastle United are determined to build around their "world-class" striker, hoping his goals can fire them to future success and silverware. The message from Howe is clear: hands off Isak.