Newcastle closing in on £60MILLION deal to sign Alexander Isak
Newcastle United are close to smashing their club record transfer fee with a £60million deal for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
Talks advanced on Wednesday after Sociedad indicated they would be willing to accept structured payments on the transfer to help Newcastle navigate financial fairplay concerns.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth was in Spain on Tuesday to finalise terms with the 22-year-old Sweden international, who has long been top of Newcastle’s wishlist but was always considered a difficult transfer to pull off.
![Newcastle are close to a club record £60m deal for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/08/24/20/61683027-11141663-Newcastle_are_close_to_a_club_record_60m_deal_for_Real_Sociedad_-a-9_1661368615168.jpg)
Newcastle are close to a club record £60m deal for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak
![Eddie Howe has been desperate to bring in a striker to add fire-power to his frontline](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/08/24/20/61683143-11141663-Eddie_Howe_has_been_desperate_to_bring_in_a_striker_to_add_firew-a-10_1661368615169.jpg)
Eddie Howe has been desperate to bring in a striker to add fire-power to his frontline
The fee eclipses the £40m they paid Hoffenheim for Joelinton in 2019 and Lyon for Bruno Guimaraes in January.
Newcastle have been prioritising a new forward with Callum Wilson’s fitness an ongoing concern.
They have been in talks with Leeds United for winger Jack Harrison and were pushing for agreement with Watford over a £30m deal for Joao Pedro. However, with negotiations stalling over bonuses and fees, they seized the opportunity to focus on 6ft 4ins Isak, who is regarded as one of the best forward prospects in Europe and has attracted attention from Arsenal and Juventus.
![Some statistics on the Real Sociedad star's game which have come courtesy of Sofascore](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/08/24/20/61685261-11141663-image-a-13_1661368615192.jpg)
Some statistics on the Real Sociedad star’s game which have come courtesy of Sofascore
![Howe continues to be backed by the riches of the new Saudi owners at Newcastle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/08/24/20/61683135-11141663-Howe_continues_to_be_backed_by_the_riches_of_the_new_Saudi_owner-a-11_1661368615178.jpg)
Howe continues to be backed by the riches of the new Saudi owners at Newcastle
Newcastle remain in the market for further signings but with their budget severely dented will look at loans to bring in a new midfielder and a winger.
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is one under consideration as is Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kouadio Kone but the Bundesliga side would not loan out the 21-year-old.
Isak has scored 44 goals in 132 games for Sociedad and represents a real high-calibre addition.
The Swedish international will also be the most expensive sale in the history of the Spanish side.
Isak will join Wilson and Wood as the senior forward options at St James’ Park, as Newcastle look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
They have five points from three games after a win against Nottingham Forest and draws against Man City and Brighton.
![Newcastle fans will hope Isak repeats his form of two seasons ago rather than last term](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/08/24/20/61686093-11141663-Newcastle_fans_will_hope_Isak_repeats_his_form_of_two_seasons_ag-a-12_1661368615185.jpg)
Newcastle fans will hope Isak repeats his form of two seasons ago rather than last term