Real Sociedad striker
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak ahead of the club’s next Premier League fixture on Sunday. The St James’ Park side have finalised a deal which sees the 22-year-old forward complete the move to England for a club-record fee of €70 million. The agreement will also reportedly include a further €5m in future fees, as well as a clause that will earn Sociedad 10 percent of any future sales. The Sweden international joins the Magpies on a six-year deal.
New signing Isak said: “I’m delighted to have it done. It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with. It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans. They were a big part of why I came here – and also the club’s project, which is one that I really believe in. You always want to go into a team and know how they play. I think Newcastle play very attractive football and I want to be a part of that.”
The most expensive Premier League signings in the summer of 2022
Isak’s move to Newcastle makes him the third most expensive Premier League signing of the season, ahead of fellow strikers Erling Haaland and Richarlison, and also completely dwarfs the club’s current transfer record, which has remained intact from 2019, when the club signed Joelinton from Hoffenheim for a fee of €44m. However, following the club’s takeover by the Saudi Arabia royal family in January, the club have spent heavily and bolstered their top 10 most expensive signings – Isak is the fifth addition to the top 10 in the space of 12 months.
Newcastle sign Isak for record fee – Howe: “An outstanding talent”
Newcastle head coach, Eddie Howe, said: “I’m very excited that Alexander has chosen to join us. He is an outstanding talent who is capable of making a big contribution to the team. He is technically very good, with a mix of attributes that will complement us, but he is also at a great age to grow with this club. I want to thank the club’s owners and transfer committee for bringing Alexander to Newcastle. We are all delighted to have him on board.”
Including Isak, the Geordie side have already spent €136m on new signings this summer, with the arrivals of Sven Botman from Lille, Matt Targett from Aston Villa and Nick Pope from Burnley. This number puts them seventh in the list of the biggest spenders in European football, just above Arsenal.
Transfer spending in the summer of 2022: West Ham in the top 5
Naturally, the sizable sum of money also breaks another record in the form of being Sociedad’s largest ever sale, coming in at almost twice the amount Real Madrid paid for Álvaro Odriozola in 2018. Having signed the player for just €15m in 2019, the La Liga side make a notable profit of at least €45m on the young Sweden international.
Homepage
