Exclusive: Newcastle MUST Splash the Cash to Keep Alexander Isak, says Former Magpies Defender

Former Newcastle United star Warren Barton believes the club splash the cash to keep hold of star striker Alexander Isak.

Sweden international hitman Isak is wanted by Premier League champions Liverpool and the sought-after 25-year-old has reportedly demanded £300,000 a week to stay at St James’ Park next season.

Worryingly for Magpies’ fans last season’s top-scorer was left out of the Premier League club’s 4-0 pre-season hammering at the hands of Celtic last Saturday.

And, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Barton stressed: “I’d give him the contract he wants."

“I’m not saying letting him hold the club to ransom, but he’s a great young player."

“Look what Mohamed Salah did [at Liverpool]. He’s not at his level just yet, he’s got to still do it at a higher level, but I’m sure the club can offer incentives and other benchmarks."

“I just think the club need to make that decision now to go forward. Are we going to be that elite club where demands and expectations are high?"

“That’s some of the things that Isak will demand. A lot of it could be on incentives, can you get 25 goals again next season?"

“Can you become the Premier League’s top goal scorer? These are the sort of questions strikers like, it’s what motivates them.”

BREAKING PAY STRUCTURE

Barton added: “For Newcastle now, we do have to start looking at breaking a little bit of the pay structure."

“We need to look at what’s needed and what it might be if we are going to compete at the top."

“We’re in the Champions League this season and we won our first trophy [EFL Cup] for 70 years, so for me it’s about paying more when we need to."

“When I was at the club Faustino Asprilla and David Ginola came in – and the wages were high."

“Les Ferdinand came in as well. Peter Beardsley was obviously the first big one [signing], but then they [the club] broke the structure for Les, David and Tino."

“And, ultimately, for Alan Shearer, so we’ve got to go with the times."

“Isak is a top-class player, there’s no doubt that. He seems happy, but I would make a big thing this season of getting Alan Shearer on the field, give him the number nine shirt and get Alan to present it to him.”

Former Real Sociedad striker Isak scored 25 goals in his second season with the Magpies, before eclipsing that with 27 goals last term, his highest return in three seasons at the club.

And Barton, who enjoyed seven seasons in the Premier League with the club, says the player has every right to push to be the club’s top-earner.

“Every player has got their demands, but I think it’s his right to want to be the top earner at the club,” added Barton, who made 219 appearances for the Magpies.

“I think he’s proven over the last two years how important he is to the club and, more importantly, how important he is to the squad of players."

“They obviously rate him and the club have gone out and spent a lot of money [£55million] on one of his international colleagues [Anthony Elanga]. I think that shows you the intent of the club and what they want.”

NO ASSURANCES

Magpies’ boss Eddie Howe has stressed he would love to keep Isak, but stressed he wasn’t able to give a 100 per cent assurance the striker will stay.

I think it’s difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player,” said Howe.

“I’d never do that because it’s football and you never know what could happen."

“All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team. I’ve never had any issue with him, other than really enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself."

“Certainly, I’m confident that he’s going to be here at the start of the season.”

“Absolutely, [we want to keep him],” added Howe. 

“There is no one who feels any differently – from board to staff to players. We value his qualities, as a person, so it’s very strong."

“I’d say we have a few of those players that are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit, so hard to develop and make them into those players."

“When you have them, you have to treasure them, and we and the staff recognise his talent and his ability. Of course, we’re desperate to keep him part of our team.”