Eddie Howe has revealed that Alexander Isak's whirlwind move to Newcastle United happened 'so quickly' that there was not even time for the head coach to personally sell his vision to the club's record-breaking signing.
Isak completed his £58m transfer from Real Sociedad last Friday - just days after sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson flew out to Spain on Newcastle's behalf to close the deal.
Isak had always been a top target of Newcastle's transfer committee, but a deal previously appeared unlikely because of the numbers involved. However, crucially, the lines of communication were kept open between the two clubs and an agreement was reached last week after Callum Wilson's hamstring injury slightly changed the profile of attacker Newcastle were targeting.
