Newcastle’s interest in Arsenal midfielder Emil Smith Rowe has been a longstanding affair, with the Magpies closely monitoring the player for quite some time, according to reports. Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, is reportedly eager to reinforce his attacking options, but securing a deal for an attacking midfielder presents a challenge.
Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints further complicate Newcastle’s pursuit, necessitating a careful balancing act after substantial spending in recent transfer windows. The uncertainty of qualifying for the Champions League adds another layer of complexity to Newcastle’s financial considerations.
Despite Smith Rowe’s perceived lack of favor at Arsenal, the prospect of a move to Newcastle might have to be deferred for the time being, given the intricacies of the financial landscape and FFP regulations. The midfielder, who has struggled to secure regular playing time at Arsenal and has faced confidence issues, could potentially benefit from a change of scenery under Eddie Howe’s management.
The article also discusses Arsenal’s reported interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. While there is no confirmation of an imminent January move, Arsenal’s hierarchy, including manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, is said to be keeping a close eye on the Swedish striker. Isak, who joined Newcastle in a deal worth up to £63 million, has enjoyed success in the Premier League, notching up 19 goals in 37 games.
Arsenal had previously attempted to sign Isak in the summer of 2022, aiming to reunite him with former Real Sociedad teammate Martin Odegaard. However, concerns about his release clause reportedly hindered the deal, leading Isak to choose Newcastle.
Interest in Isak dates back to 2016 when Arsenal identified him as a potential transfer target from AIK Solna. The report suggests that, due to Financial Fair Play issues, any potential transfer from Arsenal to Isak is more likely to occur in the summer. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, acknowledges the necessity of selling some players to navigate financial challenges.
Isak is currently under contract with Newcastle until 2028 and earns around £120,000, making him the second-highest-paid player alongside Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier, with Bruno Guimaraes leading the pay scale at £160,000.
🚨 @FabrizioRomano: “This (Smith Rowe) is a name that keeps coming up, but again I’m not aware of any concrete talk at this stage with Newcastle, let’s see closer to the January window.”
🗣️ “As I always mentioned, Newcastle are not advancing on any signing now as it’s crucial… pic.twitter.com/2v2c7oZkdb
— afcsphere (@afcsphere) October 18, 2023
