Alexander Isak ‘rejected Manchester United move before joining Newcastle’

Alexander Isak turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United before he moved to Newcastle, according to reports in Spain.

The 22-year-old completed his £60m switch from Real Sociedad to St James’ Park on Friday as the Magpies paid a club-record fee for him.

It has emerged that he could have moved to United instead, but his representatives recommended that he rejected their advances, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Alexander Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £60million on Friday

Manchester United wanted to sign Isak earlier this summer, but the forward rejected their offer

It is understood that United made a ‘juicy offer’ to Isak, although Sociedad did not receive an official bid from the Red Devils.  

Erik ten Hag has been able to get five new signings through the door in his first transfer window in the dugout, including Ajax duo Antony and Lisandro Martinez, plus serial Champions League winner Casemiro.

However, bringing in a new No9 has proved problematic. 

The club started the summer with Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial as their only recognised strikers, and the former is now looking to leave Old Trafford to pursue Champions League football elsewhere.

Martial has also missed three of the team’s opening four matches this term due to fitness issues. 

United have been looking to sign a striker this summer as Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave

The 13-time Premier League champions have been linked with a number of forwards including Marko Arnautovic, Mauro Icardi and Alvaro Morata, but have failed to get a deal over the line for any of these players.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is another potential target, in a move which could see Ronaldo go the other way, but time is running out for United to come to an agreement with their Serie A counterparts ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

It seems that Isak is another option that slipped away from United, and the Swede is now waiting to make his Premier League debut for Eddie Howe’s side.

He was unable to feature against Wolves on Sunday due to not receiving a work permit in time, and he is facing an anxious wait to see whether he can get it before Newcastle return to action against Liverpool on Wednesday.