Eddie Howe has expressed his irritation over ongoing speculation linking Newcastle United players with moves to rival top-flight clubs. Striker Alexander Isak, in particular, has been associated with both Liverpool and Arsenal—Newcastle’s upcoming opponents on Sunday.

With two matches remaining, the Magpies remain in contention for a second-place finish behind Liverpool. They currently trail Arsenal by just two points, and a win at the Emirates Stadium would see them leapfrog the Gunners.

However, the build-up to the match has been overshadowed by ongoing commentary suggesting that Newcastle’s key players—such as Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimarães—could pursue career advancements elsewhere. Gordon was previously the subject of interest from Liverpool last summer, while Isak has also been linked to the Reds.

Addressing the rumours, Howe stated:

"It is a frustration because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs.

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."

Under Newcastle’s current ownership, the club has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its reputation as a selling club under Mike Ashley’s tenure. Strategic investment has helped end a 70-year wait for domestic silverware, and the Magpies are now firmly in the hunt for a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Although spending restrictions have stalled further progress—resulting in three consecutive transfer windows without a major signing—this is expected to change in the forthcoming summer window.

Howe emphasised that sustained success is essential to reinforcing the club’s ambitions:

"Regular success, consistent success—all these things help you in the journey that you're on, to show to everybody that that's where the club's ambition is. There's no doubt that's what the club's ambition is."

He further clarified that financial limitations imposed by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) would no longer be a concern:

"As we've said many times, the ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR. 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."

While wages could pose a separate challenge, Howe suggested that the club’s north-east location has not deterred prospective signings. He also implied that talk of a rigid salary cap is overly simplistic, arguing that it ultimately comes down to how much value a player brings to the team.

In team news, defender Sven Botman remains a doubt for the upcoming clash after sustaining a knee injury in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Chelsea. However, the injury is not believed to be serious.