Friday’s briefing: Alexander Isak’s Newcastle future in the balance

Doubts grew over the Newcastle future of Alexander Isak as Arsenal strengthened their backline with the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.

Sarina Wiegman was backed by the Football Association to see out her contract and take England to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Isak reportedly keen to make Newcastle exit

Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club.

Hours after Newcastle confirmed Isak was not part of the Newcastle squad travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies due to a minor thigh injury it was reported the Sweden striker is keen to leave Tyneside.

Isak scored 23 goals last season as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League, and the 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks.

The forward still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, who he joined in the summer of 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Gunners splash the cash again for Mosquera

Arsenal have made Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera their fifth signing of the summer, taking the club’s spending to close to £140million.

Spaniard Mosquera joins for an initial fee of £13m – with performance-related add-ons – and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year.

The 21-year-old is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, but can also operate anywhere along the backline.

“It means a lot to me,” Mosquera told the club website.

“It’s an opportunity that came up and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’m joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.”