Newcastle United’s £60 million club-record deal for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak has been applauded by former Premier League captain Gabby Agbonlahor and veteran manager Neil Warnock, speaking to talkSPORT (25 August, 9.40am), while insisting that the Sweden star is an upgrade on Chris Wood.
On the day that news emerged suggesting that Callum Wilson could miss three weeks of action with yet another injury, is it merely a coincidence that Newcastle appear to have stepped up their long-running pursuit of Alexander Isak? Unlikely.
According to The Times, the Saudi-backed Magpies are committing themselves to paying a club-record £60 million fee for the one-time Borussia Dortmund whizzkid.
Isak, one of the most talented young forwards on the continent, looks a perfect fit for Eddie Howe’s possession-based, high-intensity system too, with his explosive pace and perpetual movement, not to mention his ability to play anywhere across a three-man frontline.
And, considering that the limited Chris Wood is the closest thing Newcastle have to genuine competition for Wilson, Isak’s arrival cannot really come soon enough.
Newcastle close in on on record £60 million Alexander Isak deal
“If Callum Wilsons injury problems keep happening… Chris Wood is good. But he’s not going to take Newcastle into the top six,” says Agbonlahor, the one-time Aston Villa skipper.
“(Isak) is great. He scores goals, he’s quick, sharp, good in the air. He’ll score goals at Newcastle.”
Former QPR, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough coach Warnock agrees, insisting that Eddie Howe is being rewarded by the Newcastle bosses for the superb job he’s done since replacing the eternally-unpopular Steve Bruce at St James’ Park nearly a year ago.
“Chris Wood is a good lad to have around,” Warnock says. “But they need a bit more quality.
“Wilson with his hamstrings, (Howe) has got to get somebody else. (The owners are) supporting him because they’ve seen how shred he is in his transfer business.
“I think that’s why they are supporting him now.”
Isak scored six times in La Liga last season. But he was one of the most exciting attackers at the European Championships just last year; An ‘exceptional talent’, according to Gary Lineker.
And the former AIK wonderkid offered a timely reminder of his talents last weekend too. He scored with an audacious chip against Barcelona; A goal one Robert Lewandowski would have been proud to call his own.
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