Newcastle transfer news: Alexander Isak deal seen as a calculated gamble

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Newcastle United are going to gamble on Alexander Isak as the 22-year-old edges closer to signing for the Magpies.

News broke on Wednesday afternoon that a fee had been agreed with Real Sociedad. Newcastle are going to pay an initial £59million that could rise to £63million with add-ons.

It’s a huge signing by Newcastle, and one that will smash their transfer record.

This is the type of big money deal that people have been expecting since the change of ownership. We’ve seen two £30million plus deals so far, but this is the first mega deal.

It speaks volumes about Isak’s ability, how highly rated he is and Newcastle’s need for a centre forward.

However, some people around the club reportedly consider this deal to be a little bit of a risk.

How Newcastle feel about signing Alexander Isak

According to the Athletic, some people at Newcastle accept that signing Isak is a gamble. However, it is considered a ‘calculated’ one.

The deal is compared to the Bruno Guimaraes signing in January, which was also considered a calculated gamble. And that transfer certainly paid off.

The gamble is reportedly in hoping that Isak fulfils his huge potential. He’s been tipped to become a superstar since he was a teenager.

That will be the hope at St James’ Park, and why the Toon owners are spending so much money on him. If he doesn’t deliver goals, the deal could be considered a flop.

But the only aspect that makes this deal more of a gamble than Bruno or Sven Botman is the money. It’s a huge figure, but that’s the premium you sadly pay for attacking players.

There’s always the chance that Isak doesn’t adapt to Premier League football, but it’s previously been claimed by pundit Micah Richards that he looks suited to English football.

That view will be shared by those at the club, which is why they are willing to push the boat out to bring the Sweden international to Tyneside.

Newcastle have tracked Isak for a long time, with head of recruitment Steve Nickson believing he is the perfect modern striker.

Nickson has been on the money with recent deals, which is hopefully a good sign as Isak prepares to become a Newcastle United player.