Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is targeting a return to the Champions League as he attempts to keep in-form striker Alexander Isak and his fellow stars happy.

Isak took his tally to 10 goals in 11 appearances with a first Magpies hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League victory at Ipswich to further enhance the reputation he has built since his £63m arrival from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022.

The 25-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move away from St James’ Park with Arsenal among the touted destinations, and Howe knows he may have to fight to keep a player whose quality demands a European stage amid spending restrictions which have hampered the club’s growth.

Asked if Newcastle needed to be in the Champions League – they played in the competition last season, but missed out on Europe all together this time around – to keep their big names happy, Howe said: “Success on the pitch is everything.

“We said last year that we wanted European football, in any respect. But, of course, the Champions League is the one that everyone wants more than anything else.

“We will give our best to have the best season that we can. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be very successful this year.”