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‘I’m not sure he’s worth the money’: England legend Stuart Pearce scouted Alexander Isak for West Ham and says Swedish striker is ‘OK’ but is unsure if he is worth the £60million Newcastle are set to spend in club record deal
- Stuart Pearce says he is ‘not sure’ about the £60million fee for Alexander Isak
- Former Magpies defender describes the Swedish star as an ‘ok’ acquisition
- Newcastle set to break their transfer record to bring the striker to St James’ Park
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Former Newcastle United defender Stuart Pearce has said he’s not convinced that Alexander Isak is worth the £60million the club are set to pay for the Swedish international.
The Magpies are close to completing a deal for the Real Sociedad striker in a transfer that would eclipse the £40million club record fee they paid for Joelinton in 2019 and Bruno Guimaraes this past January.
However, talking on talkSPORT, Pearce – who left West Ham’s coaching staff at the end of last season – says he isn’t convinced by the outlay Newcastle are spending on a player he’s scouted previously and describes as an ‘ok’ signing.
Stuart Pearce believes that Alexander Isak is not worth the £60million fee Newcastle are to pay
Eddie Howe will boost his striking options with the addition of Swedish international Isak
The England legend told host Alan Brazil on his breakfast show.
‘I’ve seen a fair bit of Isak after looking at potential targets.
‘He’s been ok, he’s decent. For the money, I am not sure. I have to be convinced of that one.’
The 22-year-old has scored 44 goals in 132 games for Sociedad since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and represents a big profile signing for the Magpies.
Callum Wilson leaves the field in the draw with Manchester City amid another injury concern
Newcastle swopped for Isak following growing concerns around Callum Wilson’s fitness after the striker limped out of the club’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth flew into Spain earlier this week to finalise terms with striker, who has been on Newcastle’s wishlist for sometime, but there were fears the transfer would too difficult to pull off.
The transfer is set to be a record sale for Sociedad and the Spanish side have indicated they will accept structured payments to help Newcastle navigate financial fair play concerns.
Nick Pope joined Newcastle United this summer alongside Sven Botman and Matt Targett
Isak would be Newcastle’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope.
The club remain interested in bringing in a winger and a midfielder, however any deal for Watford star Joao Pedro now seems to be over following stalls over bonuses and fees.
Any further signings are likely to be loan moves, with Scott McTominay and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kouadio Kone possible considerations.