Newcastle United are on the verge of completing a deal for Swedish striker Alexander Isak, reports Basque outlet Diario Vasco.
Isak joined Real Sociedad as a teenager from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019. He enjoyed an encouraging debut season, netting 16 goals in all competitions – including seven in his side’s triumphant Copa del Rey campaign.
The following season, the Swede continued to make progress. He ended the league season with 17 goals, making him La Liga’s sixth-top scorer behind only Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Gerard Moreno, Luis Suarez, and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Throughout his time at Real Sociedad, Isak has scored 44 goals in 132 outings. This form has seen him linked with a move away from Spain, with Arsenal heavily rumoured in January.
And it looks like a transfer is imminent. According to local Basque source Diario Vasco, Isak is close to signing for Newcastle United in a deal worth an initial €70m fee.
The Magpies have had a very encouraging start to the campaign. They remain unbeaten after three matches, defeating newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on the opening day and picking up draws against Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City.
Main goalscorer Callum Wilson has been in fine form, netting two in his first three. However, the England international has a troubled injury record, and could be set for another spell on the sidelines. This leaves Chris Wood as the club’s only natural striker.
The Tyneside club have been in the market for a new forward for most of the transfer window. Young Frenchman Hugo Ekitike was known to be a target, but he opted for a move to Paris Saint-Germain. In recent weeks, they have been working on a deal for Watford’s Joao Pedro.
Next up for Newcastle is a Carabao Cup clash with Tranmere Rovers. They complete August with away fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.
