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

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

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.

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.

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.

Newcastle United face a crunch clash against Everton on Sunday - here’s all the latest injury news affecting Eddie Howe ahead of that game.