Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe Firmly Dismisses Paul Merson’s Remarks

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has dismissed rumors suggesting the club might consider selling key players like Alexander Isak, following speculation about Arsenal’s interest in the £63 million striker.

Responding to Arsenal legend Paul Merson’s suggestion that the Gunners should “break the bank” to sign Isak in January, Howe stated, “It’s the first I have heard [of Merson’s claim], so I need to see the comments.

But our players are loved by us and wanted by us.”

Howe stressed that Newcastle’s focus remains on their performances and achieving success this season, rather than being distracted by transfer talk.

“We have massive games to come and we need them to perform,” Howe said.

“Their focus can only be on what they are delivering in the here and now. We can only control what we can control.

I don’t see [the Isak and Arsenal rumors] being an issue for us, especially in this window.

We have so many big games ahead, and the players are focused on having a great season. That’s all that matters at the moment.”

The Newcastle boss also emphasized that the club has no intention of facilitating transfers to rival Premier League clubs, underlining the importance of retaining top talent in a highly competitive league.

“We are not looking to help anybody out, that’s for sure,” he said. “It’s a hard enough league to be consistently successful. We need our best players here.”

Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, speculated that Arsenal could make a big-money move for Isak, saying, “Do Newcastle turn down £100 million for Alexander Isak? £150 million?

Arsenal will have the money. That takes Arsenal to another level.”

When asked about the impact of pundit commentary, Howe admitted that such remarks might have influenced him earlier in his career, but he now considers them irrelevant.

“I think it comes with the territory now, to be honest,” Howe explained.

“Maybe in my early days, those comments would have had more of an impression.

But in the position I’m in now, you sort of ignore it. It’s irrelevant. There’s so much talk, rumor, and noise.

You can’t control it all. You can’t even begin to try, so you just focus on what you can control.”

Howe also praised Isak’s abilities, describing him as a unique talent.

“He could be anything he wants to be. He has a little bit of everything, which makes him difficult to play against.”