As their search for a striker continues, Newcastle United are now reportedly eyeing a late move to sign a want-away star who outscored Jorgen Strand Larsen last season.
Howe responds to Isak statement
When Newcastle commenced their search for a striker earlier this summer, the last thing they were looking for was the kind that Alexander Isak has become in recent weeks. But that's the reality that they find themselves in. The Swede has done everything to leave the club, from going on strike to even taking aim at the club on social media, yet he remains a Newcastle player.
Eddie Howe, who has been left to answer several questions every week about the forward, responded to his statement on social media following the PFA awards - telling reporters:
“This has been an unfortunate situation, but there are always two sides to every story. There’s more than even I will know, because there are conversations that have taken place far away from me and my knowledge of them."
The Newcastle boss went on to admit that there were conversations between himself and Isak towards the end of the season, but reiterated that they will remain private: “Me and Alex had conversations towards the end of last season. I am not going to deny that. But individual conversations are best off remaining private.”
Away from what is still a developing saga, meanwhile, Newcastle are still searching for a new striker to ease any potential Isak blow or to simply bolster their squad.
Reports recently indicated that their attention has turned towards Wolverhampton Wanderers' Strand Larsen, but the Midlands club's £60m+ price tag may yet force the Magpies to once again re-evaluate their options.
Newcastle eyeing late Sorloth move
According to the Daily Mail's reliable journalist Craig Hope, Newcastle are now eyeing a late swoop to sign Alexander Sorloth, who reportedly wants to leave Atlético Madrid this summer after falling out with Diego Simeone.
The Norway international last featured in the Premier League as a struggling Crystal Palace striker from 2018 to 2020, but has since rebuilt himself into the type of clinical player that Newcastle so desperately need.
Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring their second goal
Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring their second goal
Hope revealed when speaking about Newcastle's transfer targets:
"Alexander Sorloth at Atlético Madrid. Now, he's available. His goal record is quite incredible when you look at the amount of goals he scored in La Liga for Atlético Madrid.
"He played at St James' a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely in the mold of his countryman Strand Larsen as well - a big, tall, powerful centre-forward, a record of doing it in the top division. That's the latest information to me that Sorloth is one of the names being considered."
League stats 24/25 Sorloth Strand Larsen
Minutes 1,566 2,587
Goals 20 14
Assists 2 4
Expected Goals 16.8 10.3
An experienced forward at the top level who outscored Strand Larsen last season, Sorloth could finally be the man that solves Newcastle's striker problem if they make their move this month.