Newcastle United’s £59m move for Alexander Isak is expected to be completed in time for the player to feature against Wolves on Sunday.
The Real Sociedad forward was due in England on Thursday to complete a medical and finalise personal terms with no complications expected to hamper what is a sizeable statement of intent from Eddie Howe’s team.
i understands Newcastle are looking to sign at least one more player on top of Isak before the 1 September deadline and there may also be outgoings in what could be a busy final few days of the transfer window.
And the way this move progressed is proof that Newcastle are becoming major players in the European transfer market, able to utilise their financial muscle and compelling sales pitch about aiming for the Champions League to sign one of Europe’s hottest prospects.
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Newcastle have arrived as a Premier League force, even Pep Guardiola had to admit it22 August, 2022It is understood the speed with which the move has progressed has shocked Isak’s Real Sociedad team-mates and even the player himself, who as recently as Sunday expected to end the transfer window remaining in La Liga.
But Newcastle’s fine start – combined with continued concerns over Callum Wilson’s injury record – whetted the appetite of the club’s ownership group for the prospect of making real progress this season.
Club insiders continually repeat the mantra of Newcastle being “process driven”, pointing to the Saudi Public Investment Fund as meticulous and methodical owners. But what is remarkable is the pace with which this particular deal proceeded – even if Isak’s name has long been discussed in recruitment meetings.
This transfer was sealed in a whirlwind 48 hours that started on Monday when Isak’s agents the Universal Sports Group informed Real Sociedad that Newcastle were interested and the player wanted to leave.
A delegation from Newcastle of trusted head of recruitment Steve Nickson and director of football Dan Ashworth travelled to Spain to broker the transfer with the backing of the club’s ownership group.
According to sources in Spain the Magpies tested the water with an offer of around £33m that was flatly rejected by Real Sociedad. Following further talks their follow up offer of £59m, with another £3m of add-ons and 10 per cent of future sales, was accepted. Isak will get a major pay-rise as part of the five-year contract he will sign.
It represents smart business by the Spanish club, who spent £5m in the summer buying out a clause that Borussia Dortmund had inserted in their deal to sell Isak which meant they had the first option to re-sign him for as little as £25m.
Real Sociedad instead restructured the contract with a £76m buyout clause on the Sweden forward which had been enough to ward off interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus.
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Perhaps they had concerns about Isak’s readiness to take the next step but Newcastle are in a totally different position. They aspire to eventually be a Champions League club so players will have time to develop and – to quote those inside the club – “go on the journey with us”.
And they believe Isak can be a real blue chip player: his physicality, speed and ability to lead the team’s high press from the front are major assets already. That he is only 22 years old and has plenty of potential to grow was what pushed the deal over the edge.
Isak will arrive able to challenge or supplement the goal threat of Wilson, who is an outstanding striker himself but is prone to injury. A month-long lay off is feared after he injured his calves in Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City and is partly behind the decision to press ahead with the Isak deal.
Certainly the move has captured the imagination on Tyneside, where the sense of something building negates the controversy that surrounds accusations of Saudi sportswashing. Those claims aren’t going anywhere but neither are Newcastle, who are laying firm foundations behind these eye-catching transfer moves.
While financial fair play has ruled out extensive transfer splurges this summer and hampered moves for the likes of James Maddison, Newcastle will end up spending clear of £100m in the close season. They are still looking at further additions, with interest in Connor Gallagher of Chelsea still live.
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