ALEXANDER Isak insists he pays no attention to transfer speculation amid reports Arsenal are interested in the Newcastle striker.

Isak has been on the Gunners' radar in the past and with Mikel Arteta keen on strengthening his forward line this summer, reports of interest have again emerged.

The Magpies have made no secret of the fact they might reluctantly have to cash in on a star asset at some stage in order to ensure they don't fall foul of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.

But Isak is a player Howe and United will be determined to keep this summer. Howe recently told of his belief that the best is still to come from the Swedish striker on Tyneside and with Callum Wilson's future uncertain, bolstering the forward line is already expected to be a priority for the Magpies at the end of the season.

Isak is aware of transfer speculation but says it won't have any impact on his displays in black and white.

“It doesn’t affect me that much,” he told Swedish outlet Expressen this week.

“It has been talked about many times, in many windows.

“I see it as just such a thing. Everyone knows that summer is coming and if things show up, things can happen, but I actually haven’t even thought about it.”

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Isak has endured another stop-start season at St James' Park, with an ongoing groin issue forcing the striker to have a couple of stints on the sidelines. The 24-year-old admits Newcastle's injury crisis this season and shortage of players hasn't helped his cause, but he hopes he's now put the groin problem behind him.

He said: “It has actually been difficult. Precisely because it has been difficult to get into your flow or when you have just done it, you have had a setback. It’s almost a little nicer to know that you’re away for a longer time than these small hiccups.

“You do your rehab and then you get injured again. It has been a bit hard. Now I have been healthy and have felt good, hopefully I can stay healthy too.

“I have had problems with my groin, it has been a bit recurring. The situation in the team has not helped with the availability of players either.

“Many times, I’ve come back from an injury and have had to play three games in a week, some 90 minutes, and that’s not optimal. But at the same time, we have had important games.”