Fabrizio Romano drops Alexander Isak transfer update amid Chelsea 'talks' & Newcastle United '£115m' demand

Cold water has been poured on reports that Chelsea are in talks with Newcastle United over a proposed deal for star Magpies striker Alexander Isak.

According to Mail Sport, initial conversations had taken place between Chelsea and the Magpies, with the Blues said to have made it clear they want to strike a deal. Newcastle have reportedly slapped a £115m price tag on Isak, as the forward is a key part of Eddie Howe’s plans going forward.

Newcastle are facing some issues with profit and sustainability rules and selling Isak for a deal in excess of £100m would see them solve those problems overnight. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update claiming Chelsea are not working on a deal for Isak.

He wrote on X: “Chelsea are currently not working on Alexander Isak deal, as package’s also considered too high. Newcastle consider Isak as key player, planning to keep him unless crazy proposal arrives.”

Chelsea are not in a position to fork out high transfer fees as they seek to get themselves in line with profit and sustainability regulations after vast spending in the transfer market since Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club. And it appears Newcastle’s high valuation of Isak has put the Blues off. London rivals Arsenal had also been linked with the player but they are also unwilling to meet Newcastle’s demands for the striker as things stand. The Guardian reports that Newcastle have informed both clubs that only an ‘astronomical’ offer will be enough for the Sweden international to leave St James’ Park.

Isak has already laid out his transfer stance ahead of the summer, as he said back in April: "Yeah, of course I want to be here in the future. I came here for the project, I absolutely love playing here, I really feel at home. I want finish this season in a good way for me and the team.

"Of course, I love playing here. I don't want to entertain these type of questions and rumours. It's not my position. I love playing, we have important games, there's no focus there (on my future), I just want to do good for the team."

He re-iterated that stance to Sweden’s Fotbollskanalen as he said: “I’ve just had the best season of my career. I’m really happy at Newcastle. I love everything about it; the club, the fans and the city. My future is not something I will speculate on. I have no thoughts on leaving. There has been no talk about it at the club and I have received no information that the club would have to sell me.”

Asked about Isak’s future back in April, Magpies boss Howe said: “I understand the question (about Isak’s future), and why it’s being asked. But it’s a shame for me, and probably for Alex, that the better he does, and the more goals that he scores, that will be the main thing. I think we should just enjoy his performances, how he's playing at the moment. He's full of confidence, he looks physically in a really good place, and I just think it's a great thing to watch him play currently.”

Isak joined Newcastle from La Liga club Real Sociedad for a club record fee of £63m in 2022 and is contracted with the Magpies until 2028. The 24-year-old is incredibly sharp in front of goal, and has scored 35 goals in 67 appearances for Newcastle, while also providing five assists.