Eddie Howe sends message to Newcastle United owners after sealing Alexander Isak deal

Eddie Howe has paid tribute to Newcastle United’s owners after sealing a club-record deal for Alexander Isak.

The Magpies have smashed their transfer record, previously set by Joelinton in 2019, by agreeing to pay £58million for the 22-year-old forward.

And clearly, despite a transfer being completed swiftly this week, a lot of hard work has gone into securing Isak’s highly-rated services.

United’s owners of PIF, PCP Partners and RB Sports & Media have firstly backed Howe with the huge funds to prise Isak away from Real Sociedad.

Then, sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson travelled over to Spain to thrash out negotiations in person before accompanying Isak on his private jet to Tyneside yesterday.

Eddie Howe thanks owners and transfer committee

Howe was keen to ensure that work didn’t go unnoticed by thanking both the owners and the transfer committee when Isak was unveiled as Newcastle United player on Friday afternoon.

The 44-year-old said: “I want to thank the club’s owners and transfer committee for bringing Alexander to Newcastle. We are all delighted to have him on board.

“I’m very excited that Alexander has chosen to join us. He is an outstanding talent who is capable of making a big contribution to the team.

“He is technically very good, with a mix of attributes that will complement us, but he is also at a great age to grow with this club.”

‘The English game will suit his profile’

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Howe also said: “Always when you’re trying to do transfers, there are two things. The selling club and the buying club, they’ve got to meet. If they don’t meet, the transfer won’t get done.

“Thankfully, they seem to have come together for us.”

Despite being 22, Isak has experienced life in Germany, Holland and Spain, as well as making 37 appearances for international side Sweden.

“He’s had a lot thrown at him for a young player,” Howe said. “The experiences he’s had is incredible really for someone so young. He’s played in Germany, Holland and Spain - big clubs as well - at a very young age. He’s had some great experiences.

“England and the English game will suit his profile. He’s a really good athlete and technically very good so I think he’s got a whole host of things going for him. His best years are still ahead of him.”