Real Sociedad boss confirms Alexander Isak’s £58m move to Newcastle United in goodbye message

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has bid farewell to Alexander Isak - as Newcastle United prepare to announce the forward as their club record signing.

The Magpies are preparing to unveil Isak as a Magpies player after the 22-year-old passed his medical and agreed personal terms on Thursday.

United agreed a £58million deal with Sociedad for Isak on Wednesday before the former Borussia Dortmund man flew to Tyneside just under 24 hours later.

Isak has reportedly put pen to paper on a six-year contract to become the club’s fourth summer signing behind Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman.

Sociedad boss Alguacil, speaking about Isak’s departure this afternoon, said: “Thank Isak for everything he has given us these three years. He is a very good player, but at Real we have done better with those around him. The team has responded without him.”

While Isak has not yet been announced as a Newcastle player, Eddie Howe is hopeful he will be registered in time to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The Premier League deadline was at 12pm today.

Howe said: Yeah, fingers crossed. There’s no guarantee with these things because we’re in other people’s hands.

“He’ll probably need to train with us in the next few days to be available to play.

“We’ll need to see how he is physically after his game last week so we’re very keen to see him and get him involved as quickly as possible.”