That is the opinion of former Newcastle defender Jose Enrique amid reports that the two North London giants will bid £100million for the striker in the summer.
Isak has been one of the best No.9s in the Premier League since moving to St. James’ Park in a deal worth €70m (£59.8m) in 2022.
He scored 10 goals in 27 games last season, firing his club to Champions League qualification and the Carabao Cup final, and has followed that up with 19 in 32 appearances so far his campaign.
Naturally, Newcastle have no plans to sell their talisman, while the 24-year-old himself is keen to stay.
However, he may not have a choice, as the the club are in danger of falling foul of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules having spent just under £400m on transfers since their Saudi Arabia-led takeover in 2021.
As a result, they may be forced to sell players on in order to comply with PSR, but while losing a player of Isak’s quality would sting, Enrique believes it would be the right call for Newcastle due to the Sweden star’s poor injury record.
‘The problem with Alexander Isak – and we’ve said this about him even when he was at Real Sociedad – is that he’s always injured,’ the former Liverpool left-back told Grosvenor Sport.
‘The way Newcastle want to play is with high intensity and pressing from the front and you can’t be expected to fulfil that if you’re getting three or four injuries every year. Callum Wilson has exactly the same problem by the way – he misses far too many games too.
‘If someone comes along and offers them the £70m that they spent to sign him in the first place then they need to think about it.’
Alexander Isak’s injury record since joining Newcastle
Sep 2022-Jan 2023 – Thigh problems – Games missed: 16
Oct-Nov 2023 – Groin injury – Games missed: 6
Jan-Feb 2024 – Groin injury – Games missed: 4
Data from Transfermarkt.co.uk
It remains to been whether anybody would be willing to make such a bid, with Arsenal linked with a wide range of strikers including Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Since joining Newcastle, Isak has missed 26 games for club and country thanks to three separate injuries.
‘It’s not just a question of quality – I think Isak is that good that he can play for Liverpool or Manchester United for example – but it’s a question of availability too.
‘He’s too injury prone, to the extent that if someone came with a lot of money this summer which gave Newcastle the opportunity to sign someone slightly worse but consistently fit, they’d have to consider that option.’
Newcastle have been ravaged by injuries this season, will no less than 11 players currently in the treatment room, while Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
Nevertheless, they’re a very credible eighth in the table with a huge game against Tottenham on Saturday next on the agenda.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Viktor Gyokeres likely to leave Sporting if Ruben Amorim becomes Liverpool manager, says forward’s agent
MORE : Ian Wright names the Arsenal star who ‘was getting f***ing cooked’ during Bayern Munich clash
MORE : Jamie Carragher predicts Champions League final line-up after Arsenal and Manchester City draws
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
