Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak stance clear amid Arsenal summer transfer interest

manager Eddie Howe has hit back against rumours linking his players with moves to other clubs.

The Magpies have enjoyed a successful season, ending a 70-year wait for domestic silverware by lifting the , and now look poised to secure a spot in next season's .

However, the summer transfer window threatens to disrupt that progress, with several key players attracting interest from elsewhere.

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Among those being linked with a departure is star forward , who has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for both and . Despite the speculation, Newcastle are in a far stronger financial position this summer and, with European football almost secured, they are under no pressure to sell.

If they do decide to part with any players, they can expect to demand substantial fees. Howe admitted the constant transfer talk can be frustrating, but said he tries not to get too caught up in the ever spinning rumour mill.

"It is a frustration because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs," Howe told reporters on Friday. "I'd like to think the players are happy here.

"I'd like to think again that they're seeing us grow and develop into a team that hopefully can compete at the top end of the division. We have no divine right to do that, but I think we're going in the right direction, so yes, it's a source of frustration. But I don't let it absorb me, really."

Building on those comments, Howe also addressed the club’s position regarding the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). He confirmed that Newcastle are looking to strengthen, not weaken, their squad this summer, with the aim of competing across all four fronts.

"As we've said many times, the ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR," Howe concluded. "But those issues aren't there for the coming window, so I don't see any reason why we can't strengthen, not weaken ourselves."