Journalist Lee Ryder has admitted that Newcastle may well have overspent on Alexander Isak after what he heard out of Spain.
The Toon spent a club record £63m to bring the striker to St. James’ Park in the summer as they exercised the release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.
Having spent three seasons in the Basque area the Swede scored 33 times in 104 La Liga appearances.
Over half of those came in a career-best 2020/21 campaign which saw the rangey centre-forward net 17 times.
However, Ryder has now revealed that one of Spain’s leading sides were unwilling to buy the 23-year-old out of his deal.
When asked on the Football Digest podcast about Newcastle’s business since their takeover Ryder gave his honest assessment and admitted that the club may have forked out too much on a couple of signings.
He said: (13:20)”They’ve overspent on someone like Chris Wood in my opinion and even Alexander Isak.
“I talked to people in Spain and they say £63m was quite extortionate for him.
“One source I spoke to at a top club said you know we only value him at probably half the price.”
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There is no denying £63m is a significant figure and it certainly raised eyebrows.
While Isak will perhaps struggle to live up to the billing of a player at that price he had certainly made a strong first impression prior to his injury.
He scored on his debut at Anfield before adding a second in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth prior to the international break.
However, it was while on duty with Sweden that the 6 ft 2 striker suffered a thigh problem which has ruled him until after the World Cup.
However, having just recently turned 23 the burgeoning talent should have plenty of time to repay the Toon when he recovers.