NEWCASTLE’S ISAK CONTRACT REVEALED: Arsenal on alert, Ashley confidant texting Staveley, stadium silence explained

Newcastle are not in contract talks with Alexander Isak and there are no plans to enter negotiations with more than three years to run on his current deal – but it raises the chance of a summer move and will put Arsenal on red alert.

While there were preliminary discussions towards the end of last season – when Isak scored 21 Premier League goals – there was a feeling then that the striker and his camp were reluctant to commit.

Confidential can exclusively reveal that those talks have since ceased and, despite continued reports of an agreement being close, we understand both the club and the player’s side do not see a need to thrash out a new deal. The 25-year-old is already one of Newcastle’s top earners and is contracted until 2028.

However, we have been told that the reason Isak’s camp did not want to extend is because of an ambition to play Champions League football, as well as emerging doubts over the speed of the project on Tyneside. If Newcastle do not qualify for Europe’s top competition this season, sources believe Isak’s camp will seek a move, with Arsenal having declared an interest.

While the Magpies would not want to lose their star striker – and he is thought to be perfectly happy living on Tyneside and working under Eddie Howe – sporting director Paul Mitchell has spoken of the need to trade players to increase their scope for spending within Profit and Sustainability Rules. The hierarchy and senior staff also recognise a need for the club to match the ambition of star players if they are to stay. At present, investment in the playing squad as well as progress on a new stadium and training ground has slowed.

The news could put Arsenal on red alert with the Gunners previously interested in adding Isak

The Sweden international is happy working with Eddie Howe and is already a top Toon earner

With three years to run on Isak’s contract come next summer, Newcastle would be in a strong negotiating position. The Swede was bought for £63million from Real Sociedad in 2022 and, despite a slow start this season with one goal from seven games, his market value would still be at least double the purchase price.

Arsenal have a need for an out-and-out striker and would likely be in a position to commit a British record sum on a player like Isak.

Revealed: Ashley’s man who texted Staveley

Former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley is said to be angry and disappointed by the leaking of confidential messages between her and an associate of Mike Ashley.

It is not known who gave the messages to a national newspaper this week or why they were leaked, but we understand the text exchange was between Staveley and Justin Barnes, Ashley’s right-hand man.

The WhatsApp messages, from 2020, revealed that Staveley told the Ashley camp during the proposed Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was ‘losing patience’ and needed convincing not to ‘pull out’ of the purchase.

Texts sent by Amanda Staveley to an as-yet unnamed individual were leaked earlier this week

Newcastle Confidential can reveal that Staveley was in discussion with Justin Barnes (left) – one of Mike Ashley’s (right) top generals

It has raised fresh questions among some over the separation of the Saudi state from the club, majority owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. However, we understand the Premier League will not revisit the matter.

Staveley’s lawyers say she was referring to Bin Salman in his capacity as PIF chairman. The messages were also exchanged over a year before the takeover was completed and were during negotiations between the consortium buying the club and Ashley over the sale price.

The financier, along with husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, left their roles at Newcastle this summer after a transformational impact during nearly three years at the club.

Barnes did not respond when contacted by Confidential.

Waiting game riles Tindall

Newcastle staff were annoyed last weekend when Brighton kept them waiting at the start of the second half.

Head of performance Dan Hodges, who had led the players during a quick warm-up routine shortly before the anticipated restart, was furious as he then watched the team stand around for nearly two minutes.

Dan Hodges (far left) and Jason Tindall (far right) were incensed by a delay to the second-half kick-off against Brighton

Hodges encouraged the players to keep moving before making his feelings known to assistant boss Jason Tindall, who was equally vexed at Brighton’s no-show. Joelinton also sought answers as to why they were made to wait.

Given the second half did not kick off unduly late – at around 4.04pm – it would appear Newcastle were either out slightly early or had left the dressing room right on the buzzer.

Maybe that is something to consider in the future, deploying a member of staff to stand next to the opposition changing quarters to synchronise departure times. Or, in a return to the dark arts of 2022-23, why not keep the oppo waiting themselves?

Uphill struggle after the break

One more thing that is irritating some on the inside is the opposition captain making Newcastle shoot uphill towards the Leazes End in the second half. On all four occasions at home in the Premier League this season, the teams have been turned around before kick-off.

Traditionally, Newcastle have always sought to shoot downhill towards the Gallowgate End in the second half – it is a preference of players, staff and supporters. However, opponents have cottoned on and, more recently, there is a clear strategy in attempting to reverse Newcastle’s plan.

Philippe Albert’s famous chip against Manchester United may have suited playing uphill

Saying that, arguably two of the most famous matches in St James’ history (Newcastle 3 Barcelona 2 in 1997 and Newcastle 5 Manchester United 0 in 1996) saw them kick towards the Leazes after half-time. Maybe, if they’d been shooting downhill, Philippe Albert’s chip would have sailed over the crossbar…

Saudi trip for club executives as stadium plans intensify

If the club do build a new stadium on nearby Leazes Park – and there is a lot of talk about this – will they recreate the slope? That is a joke, by the way.

But I am hearing that work on what happens next with the stadium is getting very serious on the inside. Indeed, Confidential understands some senior members of Newcastle’s hierarchy were in Riyadh this week.

Any expansion or new build will require the Saudi owners to sign what has been described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ cheque, so visits to the country to meet with PIF chiefs are extremely significant right now.

Watch this space…

Loose lips sink stadiums?

So keen are the club for plans on what happens next not to leak out, anyone who gets within eyeshot or earshot of such information is being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

This includes the club’s Fan Advisory Board and any commercial partners privy to stadium reports and plans.

Newcastle are so keen to keep plans for their renovation of St James’ Park under wraps that people in the know have been asked to sign NDAs

Here is a thought. It would be a cunning move by the club – in a bid to reduce reporting on the subject – if the North East press pack were invited in and talked through the St James’ Park feasibility study. One condition, though, ‘can you sign that NDA before you enter?’ I think I’d struggle to find my pen if that were the case…

Toon Teaser

It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… can you name the NINE players to have appeared for Newcastle and Brighton since 1992. The answers were: Leon Best, Dan Burn, Steve Harper, Aaron Hughes, Paul Kitson, Tim Krul, Kazenga LuaLua, James Miller and Chris Wood.

This week’s question is: Can you name the ELEVEN players to have played for Newcastle and Chelsea since 1992 (must have made senior appearance). I enjoyed testing myself on this one. There’s a little five-year period that unlocks most of them… good luck!