Arsenal target pushes for release clause in new Newcastle contract | OneFootball

Newcastle United are working on a new contract for Arsenal-linked Alexander Isak, but the player reportedly wants a release clause in the deal.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak reacts after they concede their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 13, 2024. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Graeme Bailey reports for TBR that Newcastle United are working on a new contract for Alexander Isak, but an agreement is yet to be found.

Bailey suggests that negotiations are heading in the right direction, but Isak wants a release clause similar to the one in Bruno Guimaraes’ contract with the club.

Newcastle reportedly accept that they’ll have to grant the request, given they already did with Guimaraes.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Newcastle player Alexander Isak reacts after injury forces him to leave the field during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Borussia Dortmund at St. James Park on October 25, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

At the start of this summer, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Arsenal appreciated Isak, though a transfer always looked difficult for that window.

John Cross added that Arsenal had monitored Isak in the past, but a summer move wouldn’t happen, with the Gunners not interested at Newcastle’s reported £120m asking price.

Back in April, initial reports of Arsenal interest in Isak were met with the news that Newcastle wanted to offer him a new contract, and those rumours continue to persist five months later.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James Park on August 12, 2023. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The striker is already under contract with his current club until 2028, but his deal contained a clause reducing his wages by up to 20% if Newcastle missed out on Champions League football.

Given Newcastle didn’t manage to sneak into the top four, Isak’s wages have now dropped.

The club hope to appease him by offering a pay rise, but it seems he wants a release clause too. Depending on the value of the clause, perhaps that could offer Arsenal a way back in.