Alan Shearer delighted Arsenal couldn't complete dream summer transfer

Alan Shearer has revealed the overwhelming happiness he felt when realising Alexander Isak would remain a Newcastle player this summer, amid reported interest from Arsenal. The Premier League's all-time leading scorer is a huge fan of the Sweden international and didn't mince his words in discussing just how important the 24-year-old is to Newcastle's plans for success for the present and future.

Isak - who scored 21 league goals in 30 games last season - joined the club for a club-record fee of £63million and has been a resounding success at St James Park. He's netted 35 goals in 68 games so far, during which time he also led the line for the Magpies during their return to the Champions League.

The Swede's ability in front of goal saw him receive interest this summer from Paris Saint-Germain and most notably Arsenal, who've made no bones about their attempts to recruit a striker. Those efforts have been to no avail so far, with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and Brentford star Ivan Toney reportedly on Mikel Arteta's wishlist. Isak was also a purported target for the Spaniard, but his £200m price tag, as per The Telegraph, may have put the north London club off.

Newcastle's PSR deficit this summer meant player sales were of paramount importance, with the club being in danger of a points deduction if they couldn't satisfy the PSR rule book. The exits of Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Minteh meant the club were no longer worried about being forced to sell the likes of Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes.

Speaking to Express Sport, Shearer - who partnered with Guinness ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season - spoke of his delight that Isak would remain a Magpie, claiming he's good enough to go toe-to-toe with Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot award this season. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was other clubs showing an interest in him because he's a fantastic player," the former England international said.

"It was great news when we realised that he wasn't never going to be sold. He's a modern day forward if you like, rather than a centre forward. The way he stops and then goes again, it makes it very difficult for defenders. I would have him as an outside bet really of challenging for the Golden Boot this season – if he can stay fit."

Isak himself pledged his future to Newcastle earlier this summer when he stated: "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 to finish this season in a good way for me and the team. I love playing here."

The Magpies began their 2024/25 campaign with a 1-0 victory at home against newly-promoted Southampton on Saturday (August 17), thanks to a goal from Joelinton. That was despite playing much of the game with 10 men after Fabian Schar was controversially sent off in the 28th minute for 'headbutting' Ben Brereton-Diaz.

Guinness teams up with Premier League legend, Alan Shearer, to reveal an iconic line-up of 20 Guinness tankers. Wearing the colours of each Premier League club, the tankers depart Dublin to deliver perfect pints of Guinness to fans for the first match.