Newcastle face race against time to register Isak for Liverpool
FT Desk
- 31 Aug 2022 03:07 CDT
- 3 min read
Newcastle have completed the €75 million signing of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, but he might not be able to make his debut against Liverpool on Wednesday.
The world's richest club have strengthened already this summer, signing Dutch centre-back Sven Botman from Lille for €37m and goalkeeper Nick Pope from relegated Burnley for €11.5m, as well as making Matt Targett's loan deal from Aston Villa permanent.
But Isak's transfer fee has surpassed those, and indeed any other amount paid by the Toon for a player, with the previous most the €44m they gave Hoffenheim for Joelinton in 2019.
OFFICIAL: Newcastle have smashed their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for €70m 💰 pic.twitter.com/Rff5eEBZrV
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 26, 2022
Manager Eddie Howe is optimistic Isak is the striker that can move the needle for his side. The young Swede scored 44 goals across his three seasons with Sociedad, having left Borussia Dortmund with a certain Erling Haaland inbound.
Howe 'excited'
"Strikers are always judged on their goal output and their creativity so we hope he makes a difference," Howe said after Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Wolves on Sunday.
"He is a linker of play as well, not just a goalscorer and will contribute to all aspects of our play, so I am excited."
Isak is a Sweden regular with nine goals in 37 games for his country, so he shouldn't have any problem getting a work permit - apart from how long it might take. The Time report that Newcastle are willing to go the wire.
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"Newcastle United are prepared to wait until 75 minutes before their Premier League game at Liverpool on Wednesday night to receive a work permit for the club record signing Alexander Isak to play at Anfield," they write.
Newcastle haven't beaten Liverpool in 12 games stretching back to December 2015, when a Martin Skrtel own goal and Gini Wijnaldum strike gave them a 2-0 win at St James' Park.
Bobby Firmino is the only player to have played in that game likely to feature in Wednesday's meeting between the sides.
