Newcastle are backing away from Alexander Isak after learning the striker would be demanding £200,000-a-week to make the move.
The Magpies are desperate for new attacking quality this summer having already bolstered their back line.
A winger has been a priority but a deal for Bayer Leverkusen ace Moussa Diaby would be incredibly expensive.
Newcastle may therefore look to spent big on a striker instead, though that pursuit has also been very complicated.
Newcastle are backing away from Alexander Isak
One of the key names emerging this week was Real Sociedad hitman Isak.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Newcastle discussed Isak prominently during their transfer meetings.
There were then reports from The Telegraph suggesting that Newcastle were considering launching a club-record bid for the Swede.
However, The Telegraph have followed that up by stating that any move for Isak is now seemingly off.
It’s stated that Real Sociedad told Newcastle to pay the full £76million release clause in Isak’s contract.
Newcastle were willing to pay £30million up front and the rest in stages, or £50million straight up, but Sociedad wouldn’t budge.
Add in that Isak would demand more than £200,000-a-week and Newcastle have scrapped their interest.
Kieran Trippier is Newcastle’s top earner at £110,000-a-week and Isak seemingly wanted around double that, shattering the club’s wage structure.
Isak is a very promising young striker but he did only score six times in 32 La Liga games last season.
£76million and more than £200,000-a-week for a striker who scored six times last season would be a huge outlay for the Magpies.
Yes, Newcastle have new riches under PIF but they won’t be spending outrageous money this early into the project.
Isak has priced himself out of a move to Newcastle and the Magpies must now go back to the drawing board in search of a new goalscorer.
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