Newcastle United hope to confirm deadline day signing as Alexander Isak to Liverpool agreed
Newcastle United are looking to secure at least one deadline day signing with Alexander Isak on his way to Liverpool.
Newcastle United have until 7pm this evening to sign a striker after agreeing to the British record sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
.png?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
It’s been the biggest transfer saga of the summer and it has all but reached its conclusion after Newcastle accepted a £130million bid for Isak in the early hours of deadline day.
The 25-year-old is due on Merseyside later this morning to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a six-year contract.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are looking to secure a second striker deal in just the space of a few days to compensate for the loss of Isak.
What new signings have Newcastle United made?
Newcastle took their summer spend above £200million at the weekend after announcing the £69m club-record signing of German striker Nick Woltemade from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.
It is one of several key positions the Magpies have addressed in the transfer market, with winger Anthony Elanga joining from Nottingham Forest for £55m, centre-back Malick Thiaw arriving from AC Milan for £35m and Jacob Ramsey making the switch from boyhood club Aston Villa for £39m.
England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is on loan from Southampton but there is an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the campaign. The Magpies have also brought in 18-year-old duo Antonio Cordero and Park Seung-soo, with Cordero spending the campaign on loan at Belgian side K.V.C. Westerlo, while Park Seung-soo has stayed with the under-21s side.
And what about other outgoings at Newcastle United?
In addition to Isak, Matt Targett joined North East neighbours Middlesbrough on loan earlier this week, becoming the ninth senior player to leave this summer.
The Magpies released three players with Callum Wilson joining West Ham United, Isaac Hayden moving to Queens Park Rangers, while Jamal Lewis is still searching for a new club.
Funds have been raised via the sales of Lloyd Kelly and Sean Longstaff, who joined Juventus and Leeds United, respectively for a combined £35million, while Martin Dubravka moved to Burnley but for a nominal fee.
And in terms of additional low loan exits, Joe White is spending the campaign at League One side Leyton Orient, while Odysseas Vlachodimos will do the same at La Liga side Sevilla.
Are Newcastle United looking to make a deadline day signing?
Yes. Speaking after Saturday’s goalless draw at Leeds United, Howe admitted he’d “love” to sign at least one more player, though wouldn’t be drawn on a specific position.
“Yeah, I don't know what that player looks like, you're not going to get a position out of me,” Howe said. “But I'd love to add one more, just to give us the strength and depth that I think we need.”
He added: “I will be on my phone probably 24/7. The reality is when you're in my position, you're not actually communicating with clubs, players, you're just finding out what's going on.
“So, you're sort of a secondary person in it, you're not doing it yourself. So, I rely on other people and situations to try and get more for the squad. I'd love to do one more player, just to get the full strength that I think we need.”
What position is Eddie Howe talking about?
If it wasn’t obvious then, then it definitely is now. Howe wants a striker to come in alongside Woltemade, who will need a period to adapt to the Premier League.
Newcastle retain an interest in Yoane Wissa of Brentford and Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen after seeing bids turned down for the pair in the last fortnight. Both players have expressed their wish to make the move to the North East but neither deal looks possible currently.
Wissa released a lengthy statement on Sunday morning pleading for Brentford to sanction his move to Newcastle, however it’s understood the West London outfit retain a firm stance. Wolves continue to insist Strand Larsen is not for sale.
United continue to explore the striker market, which means the day could spring a surprise or two, much like it did with Woltemade on Thursday evening.