Why Alexander Isak is in demand, who is interested and can Newcastle keep him?
The Magpies’ record signing scored 25 goals last season.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s rich vein of form has made him one of the hottest properties in European football.
The 25-year-old Sweden international scored his 13th goal of the season in Monday night’s 2-0 win at Manchester United amid continued speculation over his future.
Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at the Magpies’ £63million record signing.
Where did he come from?
Stockholm-born Isak, who is of Eritrean heritage, arrived at St James’ Park in August 2022 as a 22-year-old, but with a wealth of experience already under his belt.
He began his professional career at AIK Solna and has brief spells with Borussia Dortmund in Germany and Willem II in the Netherlands before making his name in Spain with Real Sociedad, for whom he scored 16 and 17 goals respectively in his first two seasons.
What has been his impact on Tyneside?
After a slow start, he has continued in much the same vein this term, leading the line with a potent combination of pace, intelligent movement, deft skill and devastating finishing.
What is his current run of form?
However, since he found his groove, he has never looked back, He has scored 12 goals in 13 games in all competitions and 11 in as many league outings, including a first hat-trick for the club in a 4-0 win at Ipswich on December 21.
With which clubs has he been linked?
Chelsea, too, and more speculatively Paris St Germain, against whom he scored in last season’s Champions League, have also been credited with an interest in him at various points.
What is his contractual situation?
Isak signed a six-year deal when he joined Newcastle and remains under contract until the summer of 2028.
In an ideal world, they would like to tie him up further as they have done with Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Joelinton, although the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules have made that process more challenging.
Nevertheless, they find themselves in a position of strength and it would take an offer significantly in excess of £100million – one report has suggested as much as £150million – to even consider a sale.
What has been said?
Speaking to the Swedish media recently, he said: “The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out. Much of what I read is not true, so that’s about all I can say about the whole thing.”
