Time for Newcastle owners to make statement and put end to Alexander Isak saga
Towards the end of a season that brought that elusive trophy and qualification for next season's Champions League, Eddie Howe was having to field familiar questions about transfer interest in his players. Here is what he said.
'It is a frustration," he declared. Only looking mildly frustrated, to be fair. "That's because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs.'
There are a few reasons why this continues to happen but the main ones are that a) you have got a lot of very good players, Eddie, and b) a lot of people are under the impression that you don't pay them the sort of money they could earn at a truly elite Champions League club.
And, of course, under the Profit and Sustainability Rules, the art of balancing the books within regulations seems to be more delicate than it was when, for example, Manchester City's new owners were taking their club to new levels or the Qataris were developing Paris Saint-Germain.
Which is why there actually might be one or two observers out there who think it would make sense for Newcastle to accept a huge offer for Alexander Isak. After all, losing a talismanic, world class striker does not automatically mean a downgrade in team performance. Ask PSG and Kylian Mbappe.
And just think what Newcastle could do with the £150million that many think is what the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal would pay for Isak. No matter what the entire Newcastle fanbase might think, keeping Isak is not a complete no-brainer.
But it IS the right thing to do, assuming, of course, he wants to stay. Isak has three years left on his Newcastle contract so, in theory, the decision is not with him.
But it is, really. This is the real world and such is the allure of obvious suitors such as Liverpool and Arsenal, Newcastle will open talks over a new contract with Isak, presumably sooner rather than later.
Now-ish would be ideal. His current wages - believed to be in the region of £120,000 a week - are clearly not commensurate with his standing as one of the world's best strikers.
Whatever the top line Newcastle can come up with under their wage structure, it is likely to be less than Isak can earn elsewhere. But he genuinely does seem happy there and Howe has assembled a squad that is still developing.
That is why, to Eddie's gentle annoyance, there is frequent talk of interest in the likes of Anthony Gordon, in Sandro Tonali, in Tino Livramento, as well as Isak. At the risk of stating the obvious, deep, talented squads win major trophies.
And while there was no investment in extra talent last summer, Howe has a squad that is not far off being able to sustain a serious Premier League title challenge while giving a strong account of itself in Europe. Along with a pay rise, that is what should keep Isak at St James' Park.
So, it is over to the Saudi Arabian owners to find a way, find a way of taking that extra step. And the starting point in that journey should be - despite the temptation of a record transfer fee - to sort out a contract for Isak. That should be Newcastle's biggest statement of intent this summer.
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