‘Everyone can see’ - Anthony Gordon opens up on £150m Newcastle United teammate
Anthony Gordon has admitted Newcastle United took an initial “risk” signing Alexander Isak - but that investment is being repaid tenfold.
Toon chiefs stumped up a club-record £63million to sign the Swede from Real Sociedad in August 2022. The move took many by surprise, with news emerging as Newcastle were preparing to face Tranmere Rovers in the Carabao Cup.
Isak was viewed as one of Europe’s top talents and the heir apparent to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Swedish football. However, just six La Liga goals the previous campaign left some questioning his hefty price tag.
A stunning debut at Anfield - where he scored and had another dubiously ruled out for offside - made an instant impression. The 25-year-old has gone on to become one of the world’s best strikers, with 48 goals in 74 Premier League goals since joining the Magpies.
Newcastle, as per The Telegraph in December, would reportedly demand £150million to keep Isak - who has three years remaining on his current deal - away from potential suitors. Speaking to the That’s Football YouTube channel, Toon teammate Gordon paid tribute to the in-form striker.
“Everyone can see how good he is,” he said. “He’s got every attribute. When he came, it was sort of a big risk. He was a lot of money, like £60million. The club took that investment in him and it’s really paying off now. Every year since I’ve been with him, he’s got better.
“This year it feels like he has took a massive step into the player that everyone knew he could be. How many players really take that step? He’s done it.”