Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle ponder club-record Alexander Isak gamble with big repercussions amid enticing deal route

Alexander Isak, Poland v Sweden March 2022

Newcastle have made Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak a firm transfer target but there is great hesitation among club chiefs about the deal, according to a report.

The Magpies have enjoyed a solid summer transfer window so far, with manager Eddie Howe revamping his team. Indeed, he has signed a new goalkeeper, centre-back and made left-back Matt Targett’s loan move permanent.

The focus is subsequently shifting towards adding goals to the team. And Howe insisted after the end of last season that he wants more firepower in ahead of next season.

Newcastle had ambitious plans to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, but that deal now looks a struggle. Porto winger Pepe has also been discussed by St James’ Park chiefs.

However, The Telegraph now reports that the Magpies have turned their attention to Sweden international Isak.

Like £60million-rated French winger Diaby, there is an acceptance that his move to Newcastle would have to be a club-record one.

But with sources telling the newspaper that the club are finding the current market “a difficult one with the money they have to spend”, such a gamble is turning into their only option.

Quoting further Newcastle sources, The Telegraph claims Sociedad want “big, big money” for Isak. His fee would be £50million-plus, overtaking the January club-record deal for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

And it could transpire that Newcastle make only one addition to their attack instead of Howe’s desired two.

Newcastle eye Alexander Isak transfer

The newspaper adds that Newcastle have held talks with Sociedad over a deal for Isak. However, there has been little progress with the Spanish club, who have offered their star man to Real Madrid.

Sociedad’s current reluctance to progress talks with Isak’s Premier League suitors is down to their payment plan.

Newcastle want a ‘buy-now-pay-later’ deal, potentially offering an initial payment of around £30million for Isak this summer.

Sociedad, though, want more up front for the 22-year-old whose stock rose at Euro 2020.

On the flipside to the disappointment of not getting two attacking signings over the line, Isak would be able to slot in across the front three and into Howe’s ideal formation. He has been scouted by the Tyneside club for the past three years.

But there are ‘difficult conversations’ taking place at Newcastle about their transfer priorities.

Exciting signing in the works

Should Newcastle get a deal over the line for Isak, he would be an exciting addition to the Premier League.

Various top-flight clubs have already made big-money moves for strikers this summer. Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez, Manchester City have added Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus has swapped City for Arsenal.

Newcastle could remind their rivals that they are on the way up under their new ownership with an Isak deal.

He already has 37 Sweden caps to his name at the age of 22, having scored 43 goals in 128 appearances for Socidedad.

Newcastle made a statement signing in Guimaraes from Lyon in January. Despite a slow start, he came to the fore at the end of last season.

Another club-record signing would get Magpies fans excited and surely provide the team with more goal threat. While Isak would be a sizeable investment, he has plenty of room to grow and improve.