Alex Isak only scored six league goals last season, so why are Newcastle smashing their club record?

Newcastle fans looking at what they are getting for £60million should probably avert their eyes from last season’s goal stats and hope that Alexander Isak’s final campaign at Real Sociedad was just a reflection of him needing a new challenge.

The Sweden international scored just six times in 32 starts in LaLiga, with a further three goals in the Europa League. 

He cut a forlorn figure at times as nothing quite went for him – he even had a penalty ruled out and a yellow card shown when he dummied his kick just before striking the ball.

The 22-year-old Swedish star only scored six LaLiga goals in the entirety of last campaign

But Eddie Howe wants to strengthen up front, with Callum Wilson’s fitness a constant concern

Isak looked more like his old self at the weekend, running in behind Barcelona defender Eric Garcia to score with a right-footed shot that deflected over Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Perhaps his mojo had returned knowing that he was about to get a life-changing move to the Premier League. If he did know he told no one. The Newcastle bid tabled Wednesday took everyone in the Real Sociedad dressing room by surprise.

When the news was reported in San Sebastian’s Diario Vasco one comment read: ‘I’m jumping for joy right now. What a great sale. We’ll stop seeing his continual stumbles, constant misplaced passes and woeful shots on goal.’ Another said: ‘Excellent news. This guy had his head on Mars.’

But they were perhaps the knee-jerk reactions of two supporters excited by the prospect of the club breaking their transfer sale record and under the – probably mistaken – impression that the team will reinvest all the money in the new centre-forward.

Speaking to regular Real Sociedad watchers the more measured verdict is that the club are losing someone with huge potential – stalled potential, but potential all the same.

Isak was hailed as the successor to compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) when he broke through

Isak ranks highly for scoring frequency and touches per goal. Graphic by: sofascore.com

Isak spent three seasons at Real Sociedad and the first two were spectacular enough to bring him to Arsenal, among other Premier League clubs’, attention. 

He was also seen as the natural successor to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and not just because of his nationality – there was something similar in the mix of graceful athleticism and raw power.

He scored 16 goals in his first season when he was still only 19 and he got 17 the following season. He could play wide right or through the middle and few young players in La Liga were better to watch.

His greatest performance came in a Spanish Cup game at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2020 when he scored twice, was denied a third by a VAR offside call, and set-up a third in a 4-3 win. 

He looked a tremendous prospect that night and right up to this summer you didn’t have to speak to too many Real Madrid fans to find one who couldn’t understand why the club were not interested in taking him.

The Sweden international, who has 37 caps, began his professional career at AIK

Isak scored 16 and then 17 goals in all competitions in his first two seasons at Sociedad

Howe has been constant on his message that he had been hoping for more additions up top

They might have been were it not for the release clause. Newcastle have greater financial muscle and they have been able to pay the price.

They will want a better return on their investment than the 0.3 goals a game he ended up averaging in Spain. But there is immense talent to work on and the Premier League could suit him. 

He was always clever enough for the intricate build-up Real Sociedad often favour. 

But he often hankered for a quicker turnaround with the ball arriving sooner so he could use his pace to get in behind teams and wreak the sort of havoc he did two years ago against Real Madrid.

If he finds that at St James’ Park Newcastle ought to end up getting their money’s worth.