Manchester United reportedly tried to hijack Newcastle’s club-record transfer for Alexander Isak, only to be turned down by the Sweden international.
Isak became Newcastle ’s record signing when he penned a six-year contract following a £58million move from Real Sociedad last week. The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Premier League – and it was Newcastle who won the race by paying his €70m release clause.
However, Mundo Deportivo reports that it could have been very different, had United got their way. The Spanish outlet says that Erik ten Hag’s side put a ‘juicy offer on the table’ for Isak, but it was rejected on the advice of the forward’s agency, Universal Sports Group. Real Sociedad were reportedly aware of United’s interest, but never received a formal proposal and therefore happily sold to Newcastle.
Isak was impressive for Sweden at the European Championships last summer and received plenty of interest from clubs including Arsenal after the tournament. He contributed 44 goals and eight assists in 132 appearances for La Real and has joined Callum Wilson and Chris Wood as Eddie Howe’s main striking options.
United, meanwhile, have been looking for new forwards in the summer transfer window after Edinson Cavani left on a free transfer and due to the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. They are now on the brink of announcing the £84m arrival of Antony from Ajax, with the 22-year-old Brazilian poised to become their second most expensive player of all time after Paul Pogba, who cost £89m from Juventus in 2016.
Newcastle manager Howe has admitted that the transfer fee puts pressure on Isak to perform – and himself to get the best out of him. “I definitely feel a responsibility to the price. It certainly wouldn't be a case of signing a player at any cost, I don't think that's the right way to act,” he said.
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“It's very difficult because transfer fees are, it's an incredible market. I could never sit and say I think it's value for money, just with the price. But when you look at the market I think it's a good deal for us otherwise I wouldn't have pushed hard to try and do it.
"Transfer prices are out of any type of realism from when I was playing but you just have to adapt to the times. If you don't adapt to the times and go with it then you don't improve. You can spend double that money and not guarantee success. It is not about money, it is about how we unite the club now.”
Isak could not be registered in time to play in the 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday but could now make his Newcastle debut on Wednesday against Liverpool at Anfield.
