‘Consider that’ - Alexander Isak given bizarre transfer advice by unpopular former Newcastle United star

Jose Enrique has urged Newcastle United to cash in on “injury-prone” Alexander Isak this summer.

Toon chiefs forked out £63million on the Swede less in August 2022 and he has proven a hit with supporters. Fans have already questioned whether Isak is the club’s best striker since Alan Shearer.

Five goals in as many Premier League games has taken his tally for the campaign to 15 - despite several injury niggles. Isak is currently four behind Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race with seven games remaining.

His red-hot form has attracted reported interest from Arsenal, although the striker played down possible exit talk in recent weeks. However, former Newcastle defender Enrique has told Magpies chiefs to offload their talisman for the money they paid.

“The problem with Alexander Isak, and we’ve said this about him even when he was at Real Sociedad, is that he’s always injured,” he told Grosvenor Sport. “The way Newcastle want to play is with high intensity and pressing from the front.

“You can’t be expected to fulfil that if you’re getting three or four injuries every year. Callum Wilson has exactly the same problem - he misses far too many games. If someone comes along and offers them the £70million that they spent to sign him in the first place, then they need to think about it.

“I don’t understand how the owners with all their money have come along and bought the club yet they’re not being allowed to spend like Manchester City and Chelsea have done in the past. The reality is that they’re performing badly against FFP regulations and are going to have to sell someone.

“It’s not just a question of quality. I think Isak is so good that he can play for Liverpool or Manchester United - but it’s a question of availability. He’s too injury prone, to the extent that if someone came with a lot of money this summer which gave Newcastle the opportunity to sign someone slightly worse but consistently fit, they’d have to consider that option.”