Newcastle United set whopping Alexander Isak price tag amid interest from Chelsea: Reports
Newcastle United have reportedly set a price tag over £200 million for striker Alexander Isak, a Chelsea target. The 24-year-old is coming off an impressive 2023-24 season.
In 40 games across competitions, the Sweden international registered 25 goals and two assists. Most of those goal contributions - 20 goals and both assists in 30 games - came in the Premier League, where the Magpies finished seventh.
Since arriving from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022, Isak has contributed 35 goals and five assists in 67 games across competitions for Newcastle. Despite having a contract at St. James' Park till 2028, he has attracted attention from elsewhere, especially from the Blues.
However, as per Pys (via Scott Wilson Echo), the Magpies hope to ward off interest from the Blues by putting on a price tag for Isak that would conceivably put the striker beyond the prospective suitors' reach.
It's pertinent to note that the Blues smashed the English transfer record last summer by landing Moises Caicedo in a reported £115 million deal. They need a striker to bolster their options up front, but whether they potentially breach the £200 million barrier to land Isak remains to be seen.
A look at how Newcastle United and Chelsea fared in 2023-24
Chelsea and Newcastle United have had largely similar seasons, at least on the league front. While the Blues finished sixth, the Magpies finished a spot behind them, in seventh.
Following an expensive summer overhaul, Mauricio Pochettino's charges struggled for consistency, especially in the league, and looked set for consecutive mid-table finishes. However, a remarkable late-season resurgence of five straight wins saw them finish a creditable sixth and return to Europe.
Initially, they had qualified for the UEFA Europa League, but with Manchester United beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the Blues dropped down to the Conference League instead.
Pochettino's side fared well in both domestic cups, reaching at least the semifinals, while the Magpies lost early in both competitions. They also finished fourth in their UEFA Champions League group to bow out early out of Europe.