Eddie Howe Keen To Keep Hold Of 'World Class' Isak

Isak scored his first ever Premier League hat-trick as Newcastle battered Ipswich Town 4-0 on Saturday.

The treble takes the former Borussia Dortmund striker to 10 Premier League goals for the season, becoming only the second Swede to achieve this in the top flight after Freddie Ljungberg for Arsenal in 2003.

Isak now has 41 goals in 67 Premier League games since joining from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022.

With the January transfer window set to open next week, Newcastle United, without the lure of European football, will be trembling at the prospect of losing their prized asset to one of Europe's big boys.

But Howe will be doing all he can to ensure that Isak remains at St. James' Park.

"I'm surprised it has taken him this long to get a hat-trick with his talent, but I'm pleased," said Howe.

"His first hat-trick for Newcastle is a great moment and we take pride in our players playing well."

"Alex is a world-class talent," added Howe. 

"The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he's got it all.

"He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren't doing that, but now the team are performing much better.

"He's a player with a real confidence and we're seeing a return to his really best levels - that's highlighted by the goals he has scored."

"There's no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go," added Howe. "He's very much part of our long-term plans. He's first class.

"He's motivated and wants to do well. He has big aspirations with his career but he's still relatively young. His desire to score goals is second to none and regarding his future, everything has been positive. I would love for him to contribute to us winning a trophy.

"I don't think contract talks have started, but he has a long contract and when the time comes that will be discussed by Alex's representatives and the football club.

"He's very popular in the dressing room and that's not always the case with an out-and-out goalscorer. He plays for the team, not just for himself, and he's always willing to learn. I can't speak highly enough of him."