Newcastle United could send a huge statement to their Premier League rivals by securing the signature of Alexander Isak this summer. The Real Sociedad forward, 22, looks to have a bright future after impressing in La Liga over the last three years.
Isak honed his craft in Swedish as a youngster before Borussia Dortmund took a punt on him as a teenager. The German club quickly sold the attacker for a small profit as Sociedad managed to do a deal for around £9m.
His first season brought an impressive tally of 16 goals in all competitions but that total was dwarfed the very next year as Isak hit 17 league goals in 34 appearances. However, it was his exploits on the national stage that really caught the eye.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak open to Premier League move as Newcastle United plot 'record bid'
The rescheduled European Championships in 2021 gave Isak the chance to showcase his talent to the world - and he grabbed it with both hands. Sweden were dumped out in the first knockout round but Isak ended the tournament with talk of grand moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool on the table.
"Don’t think there’s much doubt that Alexander Isak will attract a lot of attention from clubs across Europe. Exceptional talent," Gary Lineker insisted on Twitter during the tournament.
The Zlatan Ibrahimovic links were always inevitable too. Swedish? Check. Over 6 foot? Check. Proven goalscorer? Check. But Ibrahimovic himself spotted potential in Isak when he was just 17.
"I have seen him in action and he is fantastic," the AC Milan star said back in 2016. Reports in Italy suggested Ibrahimovic asked his former agent, the late Mino Raiola, to recommend Isak to his former clubs PSG and Juventus.
For Newcastle it would be a huge move this summer. However, it would also mean breaking their transfer record. Sociedad are said to want big money for their focal point and won't be doing a deal on the cheap as they bid to keep the player in Spain.
Isak himself has previously talked up a move to the Premier League, saying: "I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England. They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it’s a very high level, and of course, one day it could be an alternative."
If Eddie Howe wants competition for Callum Wilson then a move for Isak would likely prove to be a pretty shrewd one this summer.
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