Stance on Alexander Isak playing in the Europa League as Newcastle United sweat over top five

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Newcastle United’s chances of keeping Alexander Isak will seismically increase if they qualify for the Champions League.

But it remains to be seen if Newcastle United will get the job done. Eddie Howe’s side are currently sixth in the league with 11 games to go. If the Premier League ended right now, they would not qualify for the Champions League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	27	14	6	7	44	33	11	48
4	Man CityManchester City	27	14	5	8	53	37	16	47
5	ChelseaChelsea	27	13	7	7	52	36	16	46
6	NewcastleNewcastle	27	13	5	9	46	38	8	44
7	B’mouthBournemouth	27	12	7	8	45	32	13	43
8	BrightonBrighton	27	11	10	6	44	39	5	43

The race for the Champions League is going to be incredibly interesting. Six points separate third and 10th, with the top five potentially on course to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.

Newcastle United are desperate to return, while they know it will enhance their chances of keeping the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon at St James’ Park.

What Newcastle United are saying about keeping Alexander Isak and other stars

But will the Europa League be enough to keep those stars at Newcastle United? Quite possibly.

That is according to the Athletic, who report that Newcastle continue to reinforce that they have no intention of selling their best players like Isak.

That stance is irrespective of where the Magpies finish in the Premier League.

Newcastle want to keep their stars, and believe they are in a position to do just that. When it comes to Isak, he may simply cost too much money, while he has a contract at St James’ Park until 2028.

On top of that, Newcastle want to extend Isak’s contract.

READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots

How Newcastle United can qualify for Europe next season

While Newcastle’s stance is firm, the proof will be in the pudding. However, there is no doubt that the Magpies’ resolve over Isak will be tested depending on whether or not they qualify for Europe.

To get in the Champions League, Newcastle will need to finish either in the top four or the top five.

To get in the Europa League, Newcastle will need to finish fifth, sixth or even seventh – depending on whether the Premier League win an additional Champions League slot and who wins the FA Cup.

With Newcastle out of the FA Cup, they have lost an opportunity to qualify for the Europa League.

But they do have an opportunity to qualify for the Conference League very soon. If Newcastle beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, they will qualify for the playoff stages of next season’s competition.

If Newcastle do not win the Carabao Cup, finishing seventh or eighth would result in Conference League qualification – depending on who wins the FA Cup and if the Premier League get a fifth Champions League slot.