Keith Downie has claimed that Newcastle United’s transfer move for Alexander Isak has ‘come out of the blue’, as he told Sky Sports News.
The Sky reporter added that Eddie Howe’s side are ‘changing tack’ in the transfer market and pushing for ‘one big signing’ before next week’s deadline.
Newcastle have added three defensive options to their squad this summer, but they are yet to beef up their forward line.
Well, it now seems as though all of that is going to change because Real Sociedad’s highly-rated hitman is headed to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old is set to earn £120k-a-week and his possible transfer to St James’ Park couldn’t have come at a better time following the possible injury to star striker, Callum Wilson.
Nonetheless, Downie named the key Newcastle figures who are in Spain right now concluding this deal and how the club have moved the goalposts on this transfer compared to a month ago.
“This is really huge news for Newcastle United supporters,” said Downie. “They are on the brink of signing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad worth £58 million.
“That is the offer on the table we are being told that is close to being accepted by the Spanish club. This one has come out of the blue somewhat. We have been talking a lot these last few days about what for Joao Pedro.
“But it’s Isak, a player Newcastle have had an interest in since the start of the window. I was told a month ago that a deal for him was going to be too expensive and too difficult to do, both in terms of the transfer fee and the wages.
“Instead, they have a situation where they have got back to the table and have decided they want to push for one big signing before the end of the transfer window – this would represent a huge piece of business for Newcastle and a record-breaking transfer.
“It’s my understanding that Dan Ashworth and Steve Nickson are both in Spain right now trying to push through this deal – this is a change in tack by Newcastle.”
ISAK WOULD BE AN OUTSTANDING PURCHASE
Last season, Isak’s numbers didn’t jump out off the page as he netted six goals in La Liga for Real Sociedad – he scored 17 the season before last.
But it shouldn’t hide the quality he has in his locker and how he can develop into a top, top striker in years to come.
Wilson has started the new Premier League in a dangerous manner, but once again, a visit to the treatment room is holding him back.
If the England World Cup hopeful is facing time on the sidelines, then Isak is going to be an exciting player to watch for the Magpies and a much better replacement in the forward areas than Chris Wood.
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