Alexander Isak has ignited a hailstorm after informing Newcastle United that he wants to leave the club. The Swedish striker has been one of the Premier League's most coveted frontmen but the Magpies' £150m price tag has proven too much for potential suitors.
Sky Sports reports that while Isak wants to leave St James' Park, the Tyneside giants are eager to keep him and he has three years left on his contract. They are insisting he's not for sale despite his obvious desire to do so.
Where Manchester United come into this is that Ruben Amorim will be backed with a new number nine this summer. Let's make it clear that we in no way feel the Swede will prioritise a move to Old Trafford over Liverpool or Arsenal who have previously been linked.
The interesting part of the story stems from Isak wanting to remain in the Premier League and that Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta have already added new frontmen to their squads. Hugo Ekitike has arrived at Anfield in a £79m deal while Viktor Gyokeres headed to the Emirates in a £64m switch.
Their searches for strikers are over but that's not the case for Amorim whose attack has been bolstered by the additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. A move for Isak may seem unlikely but a club legend doesn't think it's impossible.
Sheringham: Isak would consider joining Man United
Teddy Sheringham gave an interesting take on Isak's situation when speaking earlier this year and the United icon suggested the club still had enough to pull to convince him on the move. He said (via The Sun):
"Would Alexander Isak consider joining United if a bid came in? Without a doubt. I’m not saying a deal will get done but he would be the perfect signing for United.
Isak, 25, has been in red-hot form throughout his time at Newcastle and bagged 27 goals across competitions last season. He has been likened to Arsenal icon Thierry Henry because of his pace and clinical finishing.
Sheringham thinks he'd be INEOS' statement signing:
"He can lead the line and score goals and could be a statement signing for the new regime. He is full of confidence at the moment and could lead by example."
Isak would be an extremely difficult deal to pull off but let's not forget Cunha and Mbeumo chose United over Champions League competing Newcastle and Arsenal. The finances would be a massive problem but a potential deal using installments would be a viable way of doing bussiness.
Marcus Rashford's switch to Barcelona on loan has seen the Red Devils relieved of paying his £325,000 per week wages. It's thought that the Sweden international wants £300,000 per week, per The Times, and while this breaks INEOS' wage structure, his world-class talent justifies it.
Isak's agents convinced him to turn down Man United in 2022
Man United have previously been interested in Isak, in fact, the Reds were one of the sides eyeing the Swede in the summer. Newcastle signed him from Real Sociedad for £63m. He would have been a long-term solution to a number nine problem that has long been a problem at Old Trafford.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via TBR Football) reported that the striker's agents advised him to turn the Red Devils down. It's claimed that we tabled a "juicy offer" to the player but his entourage persuaded him on St James' Park.
Isak could have followed in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's footsteps if he had joined United. His compatriot spent a season-and-a-half with the Reds under Jose Mourinho and the Newcastle frontman says he's "the greatest Swedish player in history". INEOS should get Zlatan on the phone.
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