Newcastle United are just one win away from securing Champions League football ahead of a potentially transformative summer transfer window.

Once a week (usually) for an hour during the Premier League season, The Athletic’s Newcastle United subscribers can ask our writers covering the club for views and insight into what’s happening at St James’ Park.

Arsenal have been handed a setback in their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who has scored 23 Premier League goals.

Alexander Isak is reportedly ‘open’ to a move to London this summer as Arsenal and Chelsea eye moves for the Newcastle United striker. Isak has enjoyed another impressive season at St James’ Park, scoring 27 goals and helping Newcastle end their trophy wait by winning the Carabao Cup.

For weeks, the Newcastle United head coach has told anyone who would listen that nothing will be decided until the final day, that the skirmish for a Champions League place would go down to the wire.

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

Liverpool could yet try tempt Newcastle with a firm offer for Alexander Isak - and new comments made by Eddie Howe may genuinely concern Magpies supporters.

If this was a glimpse of a future in which Newcastle United sell Alexander Isak, it was a bleak one. Without their star striker, Eddie Howe’s side are not the same.