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Alexander Isak: Newcastle United set to sign Sweden striker from Sociedad in £60m deal

Last updated on .From the section Newcastlecomments1320

Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak is set to become Newcastle United's record signing

Newcastle are set to sign Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak for a club record fee of about £60m.

On Friday, boss Eddie Howe said he was hopeful the deal would be completed in time for Isak to face Wolves on Sunday.

The Sweden international would boost Newcastle's attacking options given the injury record of Callum Wilson, who is currently out with a hamstring strain.

"We're delighted to hopefully sign Alex, who will be a big player for us," said Howe.

He added: "He has pace, technical ability, dribbling ability, he has got a bit of X-factor about him.

"He is slightly different and I think he is capable of scoring goals."

Ex-Borussia Dortmund player Isak, 22, has 44 goals in 132 appearances for Sociedad, and nine in 37 for his country.

Newcastle's transfer record is the £40m they paid for Joelinton in 2019.

The Brazilian striker-turned-midfielder was signed from German club Hoffenheim.

The club also paid £35m plus add-ons for fellow Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes last January but Isak's signing would be a significant shift from Newcastle's new owners, who took over the club in October and have taken a considered approach to the transfer market.

Isak's signing would double Newcastle's spending this summer to just short of £120m after already signing Matt Targett, Sven Botman and Nick Pope, and bring the total to around £200m since the new owners took over the club in October 2021.

On Wilson, Howe said the striker's injury "is not serious" but the 30-year-old will be out "for a couple of weeks".

Howe also said he "doesn't think" Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is in talks with Manchester United over a move.

Reports have linked the Slovakian with a move to Old Trafford after he was displaced as club number one by Nick Pope.

"I don't think he's in talks with Manchester United," said Howe. "There has been contact between the clubs, but that will be something that will continue probably, to happen, as in the discussions.

"But in terms of an actual final outcome, I'm very reluctant to lose any important players to the group, so that's a decision that will be out of my hands."

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1320 comments

  • Comment posted by TAB101, at 11:38 25 Aug

    As a Safc fan I am jealous. Of course I am. They're my local derby team but the moral argument is a bit rich coming from us. We have a very chequered past regarding certain actions. Kid looks like a good player, will improve the PL and has never been sent to jail

    • Reply posted by Max, at 11:40 25 Aug

      Max replied:
      Fair play for a decent and honest comment from our rivals. Not many on here.

  • Comment posted by knackersinc, at 11:10 25 Aug

    Newcastle spend 120 million for four players = OUTRAGE. Man city spend 100 million on grealish = Oh Well.

    • Reply posted by SBandy1, at 11:16 25 Aug

      SBandy1 replied:
      Pretty sure I remember most laughing at the ridiculousness of that 100 million price tag for Grealish.

  • Comment posted by Mono Life, at 11:28 25 Aug

    Chelsea have spent £181m this window so far, Forrest £133m, Man Utd £128m, West Ham £125m, Arsenal £118m, Man City £109m, Spurs £107m, Wolves £106m...and Newcastle are buying the league?!

    • Reply posted by James, at 11:32 25 Aug

      James replied:
      ay but if you include January when nobody else was spending Newcastle are top of the tree with £200M

  • Comment posted by Rt Hon Cabbage, at 12:17 25 Aug

    We love taking the moral high ground. If we meant what we said we wouldn't buy from McD's because they sell in Saudi Arabia, or any other company that does... Not sure how our vehicles would run either... Is it really the responsibility of sport to make up for what politics and diplomacy fail at? Take that away and it is simple sour grapes from rival fans...

    • Reply posted by Max, at 12:19 25 Aug

      Max replied:
      Absolutely nailed it.

  • Comment posted by John B, at 11:23 25 Aug

    Is every Newcastle thread going to have the same boring copycat comments 'oil money' 'sportswashing' etc? Get over it already. Newcastle could have 500m spent on first team and would still be playing catch up on many clubs spend over the last decade. Ashley underinvested so much and 120m thus summer is comparable with Nottingham Forest. Give some credit to the staff and players where due

    • Reply posted by Kye, at 11:26 25 Aug

      Kye replied:
      Don't worry about it everyone would jump at it if it was there club. Ignore the haters and enjoy the ride.

  • Comment posted by Rhys Jones, at 11:18 25 Aug

    Interesting signing this one.

    His scoring record isn't great, but whenever I've seen him play he looks decent. He's young and can only get better.

    • Reply posted by DarthVegan77, at 12:05 25 Aug

      DarthVegan77 replied:
      I thought the same. Looks like a player who should get you 15+ goals a season, plenty of ability with the ball, pace and strength, but that hasn’t translated into a lot of goals for him in previous seasons.

      He’s still young though, and looks well suited to the prem. Let’s hope Eddie Howe can get the best out of him, as he has done with so many others since he came to NUFC.

  • Comment posted by Will, at 11:49 25 Aug

    This is an outrage!
    Newcastle are trying to buy the league by spending, checks notes, the 6th most in the Premier League this window.
    Also he will be the 6th most expensive single transfer this window.
    It's just unfair to the rest of the league.

    • Reply posted by Howes that 1, at 11:54 25 Aug

      Howes that 1 replied:
      Hahaha

  • Comment posted by ewmcfc, at 11:27 25 Aug

    Good luck to Newcastle, spent some time up there, great city and great people, would be nice to see them win something, its been a while for them

    • Reply posted by my thoughts, at 11:29 25 Aug

      my thoughts replied:
      Only a matter of time now. Money will keep flowing.

  • Comment posted by rattleback, at 11:12 25 Aug

    ffp only applies when its Newcastle United, how dare nufc make expensive signings? lol great signing welcome to geordieland.

    • Reply posted by my thoughts, at 11:17 25 Aug

      my thoughts replied:
      More concerned about the source of that money. If the owners want to chuck obscene amounts at the club and buy the league like Man City fair enough. Enjoy.

  • Comment posted by Gervaise Brook-Hampster, at 12:12 25 Aug

    After Ashley, I guess it's 'Oil's well that ends well!' for Newcastle and their fans.

    I'm a West Ham fan but always held a soft spot since the days of 'the Entertainers' under Keegan, didn't win any trophies but many admirers.
    Yes, I'm old and if you get this, you are too, probably.

    • Reply posted by welshbilly, at 13:01 25 Aug

      welshbilly replied:
      Let me guess you'd love it just love it if they do well against everyone except west ham

  • Comment posted by Scott Cowley, at 11:04 25 Aug

    As a neutral I would love to see him in the premier league, he looks a real handful in La Liga although I appreciate this doesn't always translate well to doing it on a 'wet and windy night in Stoke'

    • Reply posted by freddbloggs, at 11:30 25 Aug

      freddbloggs replied:
      I actually think he'll do better in England than Spain TBH. His natural attributes are well suited to the Premier League.

  • Comment posted by andybee43, at 11:08 25 Aug

    Big statement of intent looks silky welcome to the toon Bonny lad

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 12:37 25 Aug

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      A good signing made by Newcastle Utd.

  • Comment posted by Durkadurka, at 11:37 25 Aug

    If your that bothered about where the money comes from then just never buy petrol or diesel again, and live without everything else we use every day thanks to oil. Oh right, you aren't that bothered.

  • Comment posted by DonaldTrumpsWig, at 15:19 25 Aug

    As a Burnley Fan, can we have Chris Woods back on a free? He's not really Prem quality but would help us with much needed goals in the Championship. It's the least you can do after us letting you have the best English goalie by miles for a snip

    • Reply posted by Cam1, at 17:17 25 Aug

      Cam1 replied:
      Canny do it lad. We need him for games when we have to go for it at the end, cup games and if Isak gets injured as Wilson already is.

      Maybe in the Summer? I’ll have a word wi wor Eddie

  • Comment posted by HillFry, at 11:56 25 Aug

    As a fan, it's dull this transfer window this, isn’t it? I'm so used to struggling to see bang average players fail to be dragged “over the line” making it so utterly depressing to be linked to 60m rated players and then having to face the disappointment of not being disappointed any more.
    Whatever next? Having to face a season with optimism? Sigh.

    • Reply posted by bedroom tv, at 14:22 25 Aug

      bedroom tv replied:
      Not sure mind, was nervy at Tranmere last night wondering if they were going to force pens late, had me wistfully dreaming about the recent days when we got ourselves knocked out the cups early to save everyone the worry!

  • Comment posted by MictorVeldrew, at 13:54 25 Aug

    I am not a Newcastle fan, but it is finally great to see them getting the investment. For those that are concerned about human rights etc? I bet you are still going to watch the WC on TV, even purchase goods from the companies that are sponsoring the WC. I bet you fill up your cars/bikes also. Hypocrites

    • Reply posted by Navers, at 14:03 25 Aug

      Navers replied:
      Wait for the World Cup viewership numbers. That will tell you everything.

  • Comment posted by curlacious, at 11:04 25 Aug

    And so it begins...

    • Reply posted by II, at 11:27 25 Aug

      II replied:
      The Revolution - Part 2 - Closing the (oil pay) gap.

  • Comment posted by Max, at 11:37 25 Aug

    Shame on my club for spending money - don't you know fans of other teams don't like it, even though their money is just as "dirty". Chinese, Middle Eastern, American, Russian. Poor show.

    But seriously, lot of money for someone with great potential. A lot mentioning scoring record but he brings more than just that and will need time to adapt. Good luck lad, we're 100% behind you.

    • Reply posted by Common Sense mate, at 15:41 25 Aug

      Common Sense mate replied:
      I genuinely like the fact that Newcastle have all this money to spend and i really hope they catch up with City in a few years. But I certainly wouldn't pretend that state owned football clubs are the same as others, PSG, City and Newcastle are unique in that respect, other fans will certainly be jealous of the investment, but not at the idea of being owned by a state.

  • Comment posted by david, at 11:11 25 Aug

    Newcastle on up good management could be surprise side this season by a neutral

    • Reply posted by my thoughts, at 11:18 25 Aug

      my thoughts replied:
      Won't be a surprise. Just watch theirs expenditure grow and grow. There is no magic involved.

  • Comment posted by magicmira, at 11:14 25 Aug

    Good signing, time will tell on the price. In comparison to 30 million for Joao Pedro it doesn't look too bad. The important thing is bringing in the right player for the team as much as the price, he has the talent and is willing to put the effort in to press

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 18:57 25 Aug

      Sport Report replied:
      Will the football bubble ever burst?

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