Saudi PIF governor's orders! Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan demands club to keep 'favourite player' Alexander Isak amid interest from Arsenal & Barcelona after Carabao Cup heroics

Isak continued his prolific season with Newcastle by scoring in their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final to end the club's long wait for a trophy. Club chairman Al-Rumayyan, who is also the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has now demanded the club resist all offers for the striker this summer and ensure he stays at St James's Park, according to the Daily Mail.

The Newcastle striker has scored 23 goals for Eddie Howe's side this season and his exploits have drawn interest from clubs including Arsenal and Barcelona. The Sweden international has also emerged as Al-Rumayyan's favourite player and the club chief is adamant that he will not be sold at the end of the season.

Barcelona are said to have scouted Isak during Newcastle's 1-0 win over West Ham in the Premier League and are keen to bring in a big-name signing this summer. However, the club's finances are still an issue and it's difficult to see the Catalans being able to afford a deal even if Newcastle were willing to let Isak go. The Magpies are thought to value Isak at a whopping  £150m (€178m/$195m).

Isak is now with the Sweden squad for international friendlies with Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. The striker will then head home to Newcastle for a celebration event across Tyneside to show off their shiny new trophy.