Alexander Isak sends five-word message after 'insane' Newcastle claim
Newcastle United's 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday has left them in pole position to secure Champions League football next season.
Eddie Howe's side sit third in the Premier League table with two games left to play, and with just two points between themselves and Arsenal ahead of their clash at the Emirates on 18 May, things could yet get better.
In a match which saw Chelsea reduced to 10 men after Nicolas Jackson's "mad" elbow on Sven Botman, Newcastle took a huge step towards a place in Europe's elite, and a step towards keeping their best players.
Alexander Isak hails Newcastle atmosphere amid exit links
Newcastle's precarious PSR position has dominated the discourse of their activity in the summer transfer window, and Paul Robinson took aim at the Premier League's "insane rules" when it comes to the Magpies.
Football Insider revealed last month that Champions League football is a must to ensure that Newcastle will be able to keep hold of Tonali, Guimaraes, and Alexander Isak, with the latter subject to speculation aplenty.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Alexander Isak | 41 | 40 | 27 | 6 | 1 |
Isak has emerged as a top target for newly-crowned Premier League winners Liverpool, but with Newcastle still within a chance of finishing second, the Swedish international hasn't suggested that he wants to leave.
The 25-year-old's Instagram story post (12 May) suggested quite the opposite, as Isak shared an image of himself and his team-mates celebrating Tonali's opener against Chelsea, with the caption: "What a game and atmosphere".
Newcastle well placed to prevent Isak transfer
Although Liverpool's interest in Isak is concrete and only likely to increase this summer, Football Insider revealved last month that Newcastle's valuation of potentially £150million will see him stay at St. James'.
Newcastle's own transfer plans will be affected by their PSR position this summer, but if the Magpies are a Champions League team next season, there is increased confidence that they'll be able to keep the striker.
Instead, Newcastle plan to spend big themselves with the windfall they will net from European qualification, and have already established several targets in a bid to shape Howe's rebuilt side around their number 14.