Newcastle United chiefs are confident that Alexander Isak will sign a new deal in the summer.
Chronicle Live understands that there is an air of optimism on both sides that the Sweden international will agree to an improved and longer agreement. But for now both the club and the former Real Sociedad star are focused on bringing Champions League football back to St James' Park.
Talks are set to take place in the closed season although Isak will have international duty between June 6 and June 10 when Sweden face friendly games away to Hungary and at home to Algeria. Isak will then enjoy a deserved break before pre-season starts again at Benton in early July.
There has been no panic from Newcastle chiefs on Isak as he is already tied down to a deal until 2028. And while there was interest from Arsenal that has now been cooled by the Emirates Stadium club as the Gunners look at cheaper alternatives.
Newcastle value Isak highly and he currently has a "not for sale" tag on his shoulders in the eyes of head coach Eddie Howe and the club's board. Howe has always had a massive say on transfer but after breaking the club's 70-year domestic trophy drought his stock could not be higher.
Liverpool do admire Isak, but will they be so interested now that Mo Salah has committed his future, and would they be prepared to hand over the astronomical amount it would take to get Newcastle to even think about it?
Isak has 59 Toon strikes to his name and looks like a man who could push Alan Shearer's hard-earned records. That would take time, patience, and a new deal. To some, Isak is already a Newcastle legend after his goal at Wembley, but he could really double down his place in folklore by signing an extension.
Newcastle United trip to Celtic
The Magpies revealed this week that they would be flying off to Singapore in July for the first leg of their Far East tour. A big game with Arsenal lies in store for the fans making the long journey to the National Stadium while ex-pats will also be delighted ahead of what looks like a great weekend.
However, there will also be an offering closer to home with a friendly against Celtic close to being signed off and made public. Celtic's last home friendly in 2023 saw a crowd of 42,000 or so watch a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.
With a capacity of around 60,000 up at Celtic that could make for a bumper away following from the Toon Army. There were 8,000 at Rangers for the 2-1 win at Ibrox in 2023 and there could be a similar turn out this time in Glasgow.
High noon showdown vs Chelsea awaits
Newcastle United must wait for the completion of Chelsea's two-legged Europa Conference League shoot out against Legia Warsaw next Thursday, but it looks like the Premier League encounter against Enzo Maresca's side will take place on Sunday, May 11 at St James' Park.
The kick off time, providing Chelsea finish the job, will be at 12pm. The game was pencilled in for a lunchtime kick off 24 hours earlier but what proved to be a walkover in the first leg from the Blues means it looks like Sunday lunch at St James'.
