Alexander Isak could be on the move from Newcastle United this summer.
The Swede has been a revelation for the Magpies since moving to St James’ Park for a club-record fee in August 2022.
Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances across all competitions, though his time on Tyneside is reportedly coming to an end, with interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
But, where could he go?
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Dream: Real Madrid
Let’s face it: if Real Madrid come calling, you would be a fool to turn them down.
Los Blancos are under new leadership following the appointment of Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti, while they are also desperate to regain their LaLiga crown.
Kylian Mbappe predominantly operates as Madrid’s centre forward last season and it is hard to see him getting dropped in favour of Isak, after scoring 31 goals in his maiden Spanish top-flight campaign.
The France skipper boasted a better shot accuracy percentage (69.67%) per 90 minutes than Isak registered in the Premier League last term (60.53%). Although, it is worth noting the Swede recorded a greater conversion rate of 30.26% to his counterpart’s 25.41%.
Isak also had the better of those statistics in comparison to Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who is linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Endrick struggled to make his mark in his debut LaLiga season, during which he only found the net once – albeit starting just three matches.
The Newcastle forward would also certainly move above Endrick in the pecking order. Should Rodrygo depart, his versatility across the front three could also see him move out to the right wing to accommodate Mbappe and Vinicius.
Realistic: Liverpool
Liverpool are odds-on favourite to land Isak’s signature before the conclusion of the current transfer window.
The Swede would only add to an already envious list of attacking players at Arne Slot’s disposal, including Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa, as well as the recently signed Hugo Ekitike. The rumoured impending departure of Luis Diaz will also leave a void to fill.
Liverpool may have won the Premier League at a canter last season, though the acquisition of an out-and-out number nine could make them even stronger in their quest to complete a successful title defence this term.
While Salah top-scored from the right wing last season, Diaz and Nunez were not so prolific compared to Isak, who found the net 23 times for Newcastle in the Premier League – five more than the aforementioned two combined.
Out of Ekitike, Nunez and Diaz, only the latter (61.22%) registered a higher shot accuracy rate per 90 minutes than Isak (60.53%) – albeit he had 27 fewer attempts than the Swede (49 to 76).
Isak also bettered the trio in terms of goals per 90 minutes (0.8) and his conversion rate (30.26%), so there is every chance he would lead Liverpool’s line ahead of Ekitike should he make the move to Anfield.
Wildcard: Paris Saint-Germain
Runaway Ligue 1 champions and – finally – winners of the Champions League, it is hard to see how Luis Enrique could improve PSG’s forward line.
Their continental breakthrough was achieved following Mbappe’s departure, with Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all stepping up under the Spaniard, as well as Goncalo Ramos.
Similar to Liverpool, may Enrique be looking to add a prolific conventional number nine as the final piece of his jigsaw?
That being said, Dembele certainly demonstrated his credentials when operating in the role last season, scoring 21 goals in just 20 starts in Ligue 1 – albeit two fewer than Isak’s Premier League tally for Newcastle.
Isak also started more league games than Dembele and Ramos (12) combined last term, though the pair recorded higher shot accuracy rates per minutes at 65.38% and 61.54% respectively. They also had more shots per 90 minutes; Dembele with 4.1 and Ramos with 4.5 compared to the Swede’s 2.5.
Once again, though, they were unable to better Isak’s chance conversion rate, and that is only likely to improve with service from the likes of Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola.
That versatility may also come in handy and allow him to appear anywhere across the front line.
Squawka Suggests: Newcastle United
Jackie Milburn, Malcolm MacDonald, Andy Cole, Alan Shearer; the Geordies love a number nine at St James’ Park.
Isak may wear the number 14, but he has already become an icon in the North East, forever writing his name into folklore with his winning goal against Liverpool in last season’s EFL Cup final earning the club’s first trophy in 70 years.
The Swede is firmly Eddie Howe’s first choice up front; if he’s fit, he will play. He has gradually improved his goal tally across his three seasons, and is only likely to do so again this term.
Also, he will not be enticed away from St James’ Park by the lure of Champions League football, with the Magpies having secured their return to Europe’s top table.
Isak, who registered just one goal when the club appeared in the Champions League two years ago, will relish the opportunity to have another crack at the continent’s top club competition, and he is likely to make a bigger impact now he and most of his team-mates know what to expect.
The challenge for Newcastle will now be to add to their EFL Cup success and continue delivering silverware on a frequent basis. That may be the only factor that may eventually tempt Isak away, but if they can guarantee more trophies in the coming years, he would be there to play a vital part in them achieving that.