Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been looking for a new centre-forward throughout the summer window, and is finally set to get his wish with the arrival of the Sweden international
Newcastle United have agreed a club-record deal to sign Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
The Magpies have been looking for a new striker for much of the summer and have now agreed a big-money deal with the Spanish side for the 22-year-old Swedish international.
Isak, 22, emerged as a target for club chiefs after missing out on French youngster Hugo Ekitike earlier in the summer, with the teenager instead moving to Paris Saint-Germain. Isak has scored 33 goals in 105 La Liga matches since moving from Borussia Dortmund to San Sebastián.
Mirror Football understands the Magpies could eventually pay in excess of £60million to sign Isak, who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs over the past 12 months.
As first reported in Basque media by El Diario Vasco, La Real saw Newcastle’s offer as a deal it simply couldn’t refuse, having paid Dortmund just over £8million to sign him permanently in 2019.
Newcastle moved swiftly following the latest injury scare to Callum Wilson. The England international has scored twice in three games to start the season, but was withdrawn after 70 minutes of Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City due to a hamstring complaint.
Wilson has a history of hamstring injuries and Toon boss Eddie Howe admitted on Tuesday he could be forced into a transfer rethink if Wilson was set for another spell on the sidelines.
“We will wait and see the extent before answering that question,” said Howe.
“I don’t think it will be serious, but with hamstrings you have to be very careful. We will wait and see the results and see how long he’s going to be out. We hope it’s not too serious.”
Callum Wilson celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City (
Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Backup striker Chris Wood, a £25million signing from Burnley in January, has struggled for goals since his arrival at St James’ Park.
But Howe bristled at suggestions he could depart before the transfer deadline when asked this week.
“Chris has a massive part to play and, when he came on for Callum on Sunday, I thought he performed very well,” he said.
“He made a positive impact and linked play very well and made a couple of lovely passes. The big thing with Chris when he comes on is also defending set-plays, recovering into midfield positions to help the team, he has that know-how and experience.”
Isak scored his final goal for La Real in their 4-1 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday.
