Newcastle sign Isak for reported club-record fee worth up to €70M

Nouveau-riche Newcastle United have ignited their previously tranquil summer transfer window with the blockbuster signing of Swedish striker Alexander Isak.

Real Sociedad will receive an initial €65 million for the 22-year-old, with an extra €5 million in potential add-ons, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano. There's also a sell-on clause included in the paperwork.

Isak was handed the No. 14 shirt after signing a long-term contract with the Magpies.

"He's got a bit of the X factor about him," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said during Friday's press conference, per The Guardian's Louise Taylor.

He added, "The English game will suit his profile. He's a really good athlete with a host of things going for him, and his best years are ahead of him. He's a very exciting signing for us."

Newcastle's other striking options are Callum Wilson - who's scored 22 goals over 47 Premier League appearances for the Magpies - and ex-Burnley frontman Chris Wood. Wilson is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.

Isak played professional football in his native Sweden (AIK), Germany (Borussia Dortmund), and the Netherlands (Willem II) before moving to Real Sociedad in 2019. He scored 33 goals over 105 La Liga appearances for the Basque side and was influential during its victorious 2019-20 Copa del Rey run, netting seven times.

He's amassed 37 caps for Sweden, scoring on nine occasions.

"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," Isak said of his Newcastle move.

"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."

Isak is Saudi-backed Newcastle's fourth senior signing of the window after Sven Botman, Nick Pope, and Matt Targett arrived earlier this summer.