Another day, another tedious Alexander Isak transfer link. But no… Arsenal aren’t involved for once.
Instead, it is the turn of Barcelona to be linked with a move for the Swedish striker, despite well-documented financial struggles over the years. Yet tissues haven’t stopped reporters in Spain touting Isak with a move to La Liga’s finest.
El Chiringuito TV journalist José Álvarez this week went live on air to offer his take on Isak’s transfer status at Newcastle and Barcelona’s huge interest – with a staggering take.
“There is a player that the Barcelona sporting management is in love with, that Joan Laporta is in love with. They believe that he will be the icing on the cake for the squad,” Alvarez said on the popular Spanish TV programme.
“The main objective is Alexander Isak. Right now he is worth €75m (£62.5m) and negotiations have been held with Newcastle. They have sounded out the player and the feeling is positive.”
The first problem with that statement by the well-know Spanish journalist revolves around the supposed valuation of Newcastle’s in-form forward. A price tag of €75m [£62m] would mean the Magpies see Isak as no more valuable than when they signed him from Real Sociedad in 2022.
This, despite 48 goals in the Premier League, despite the fact he is Eddie Howe’s main man, despite the fact he is arguably the Premier League’s best striker AND despite the fact a number of top European clubs would happily enter a bidding war for a chance sign him. The list could go on.
The consensus inside Newcastle is that it would take an astronomical offer to tempt them into even considering selling Isak. Even then, there is confidence a new deal will be signed in the near future – and reaching the Champions League this season will bolster those hopes even further.
The second sticking point with the reports emerging from Spain involving Isak’s future is around Barcelona’s own financial situation. Signing one of the world’s best strikers is a luxury few can afford – and the jury remains out as to whether the Catalan outfit even have the financial firepower to pull off such a deal.
Barcelona’s balance sheet is only just beginning to recover after several years of significant financial problems. Renewing the club’s sponsorship agreement with Nike and selling off VIP boxes at the refurbished Camp Nou, which has not even open yet, has helped steady the ship in recent months.
However, it was not too long ago Barcelona couldn’t even include some of their key players in Hansi Flick’s squad due to FFP concerns. The registration of both Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, two summer signings, continues to be disputed in Spanish court with La Liga chiefs and the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] at odds with Barcelona over the matter.
Olmo and Victor were both granted temporary playing registrations in recent weeks, which has drawn fury from rival top flight clubs in Spain. The issue looks set to drag on into the future.
Barcelona also borrowed €1.5billion [£1.25bn] in April 2023 to finally start much-needed renovations at the Camp Nou. This has meant a prolonged period of playing home games at the smaller Montjuic stadium, leading to an estimated €150m loss [£125m] in matchday revenue for the Champions League outfit.
All of these facts do nothing to present Barcelona as a club capable of pulling off one of the most lucrative deals in football anytime soon. Despite the undoubted lure of the five-time Champions League winners, Isak, for now, looks off limits as Newcastle attempt to keep him away from interested suitors.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latest-alexander-isak-transfer-claim-30992932
