Newcastle aim to SMASH transfer record with Isak signing

Suraj Radia

12 Jul 2022 21:22 BST
3 min read

Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak — © ProShots

Newcastle are aiming to smash their transfer record by spending the remainder of their budget on the signing of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.

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The Magpies have been in the market for a striker and have moved onto alternative targets up front after seemingly missing out on Hugo Ekitike, who is being pursued for Paris Saint-Germain.

Sociedad had told Arsenal in January that Isak would not leave for less than his £75 million release clause but the Spanish side could be tempted by offers north of £50m.

With Eddie Howe’s side having already spent more than £50m this summer, they are carefully navigating Financial Fair Play rules and are considering approaching Sociedad with a deal that could see them minimise the amount they pay up front.

Is Isak set to join the Magpies?

Newcastle’s current record transfer was the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in January, with the deal potentially rising to £42m.

The English side are also on the lookout for a right winger and had identified Moussa Diaby as a top target but they have been put off by Leverkusen demanding a fee in excess of €60m.

However, they could utilise all their remaining resources to sign Isak and opt instead to sign a cheaper winger or a loan option, such as Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.

Isak is considered one of the brightest young strikers in Europe, having had a breakout season in 2020/21 where he scored 17 goals in 34 La Liga games.

However, the former Dortmund man endured a difficult campaign last season, netting just six times and Newcastle could capitalise on his seemingly depreciated stock by beating a host of Europe’s top sides to his signature.

If a deal for Alexander Isak can be thrashed out in the coming days, it would probably signal the end of Newcastle's transfer business in this window, unless they are able to raise extra funds through player sales or bring in a player on loan. [Telegraph] #NUFC
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) July 12, 2022

The Magpies thought they had secured a deal to sign Ekitke, having missed out on him in January, but despite agreeing a fee for the 20-year-old, the player has chosen to hold out for a bigger club.

PSG are believed to have agreed a deal in principle to sign Ekitike but they have yet to match Newcastle’s reported €36m offer.

While Newcastle’s contract for Ekitike is still on the table, the club consider the move dead an have opted to move onto other targets such as Armando Broja from Chelsea and Amine Gouiri from Nice.

But the Newcastle board appear to be unanimous on Isak as their new focus, with the 6ft4 striker having being a long-term target for the club.