Bringing in more firepower was Newcastle United's priority at the start of the window, but Eddie Howe stressed the club had to sign the 'right' player after a deal for Hugo Ekitike fell through. Well, Newcastle's patience looks to have paid off as the Magpies close in on a record-breaking £58m move for Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak in the final week of the window.
It is a statement signing in so many ways. Isak may not have had a vintage campaign last season, but only four players aged 23 and under have scored more goals in Europe's top seven leagues in the last four years than the Sweden international. Isak, in short, is the embodiment of a modern centre forward: a pressing machine off the ball; a technical finisher who can score goals from unlikely positions; and a quick player who is not afraid to run at defenders or come deep to link play.
Also, like Newcastle's other big-money boys, Isak is a player who can grow with the club at just 22 years of age as the Magpies bid to one day play in Europe and challenge the established order. That was the dream sold to Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman and there are similarities between those deals and this move for Isak.
