‘Extremely professional’ Alexander Isak praised as manager breaks silence on £130m Newcastle United transfer
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Newcastle United transfer news: Alexander Isak is closing in on a move to Liverpool this summer.
Jon Dahl Tomasson has labelled Alexander Isak as ‘extremely professional’ as the striker closes in on a move to Liverpool. Isak hasn’t featured at club level since May after missing the entirety of Newcastle United’s pre-season and first three matches of a new Premier League season.
Last month, the 25-year-old released an explosive statement on Instagram detailing his desire to leave St James’ Park this summer. Newcastle United responded with a strong statement of their own, revealing that they did not foresee conditions of a sale for Isak being met this summer.
However, with less than 24 hours of the window left to run, that stance had been tested again with the Magpies eventually agreeing a £130m fee for Isak. The 25-year-old travelled to Liverpool to complete a medical on Monday and is set to sign a six-year contract at Anfield.
Jon Dahl Tomasson on Alexander Isak
Isak could make his debut for Liverpool at Turf Moor against Burnley on Sunday 14 September. However, between now and then, international football will take centre stage and for Isak, that means potentially his first minutes on a pitch in almost four months.
Sweden begin their World Cup qualifying campaign during the international period with games against Slovenia (Friday 5 September) and Kosovo (Monday 8 September). However, Jon Dahl Tomasson has already confirmed that Isak won’t start for his country after he has spent the last few weeks training individually.
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As relayed by Sky Sports, Tomasson described Isak as ‘extremely professional’ and is expecting the striker to join up with his international teammates in the near future: “I spoke to Alex yesterday and this morning.
“We expect him here today. He is extremely professional and has a good mentality.
"He is very stable and controlled. We have no worries. He’s not able to play for 90 minutes, but he can be a game-changer.”
Two of those teammates that Isak will join up with on the international stage are Newcastle United duo Emil Krafth and Anthony Elanga. Krafth is yet to feature under Eddie Howe this season, whilst Elanga has started two of their opening three matches.
With two draws and a defeat from their first three games of the season, with those two draws coming in goalless trips to Elland Road and Villa Park, it’s hard to argue against the idea that Isak’s absence from the first-team this season has cost his side points - ones that could prove pivotal come the end of the season.
Those not on international duty over the next week or so will work closely with Howe and his coaching staff on Tyneside ahead of the return of Premier League football. The Magpies host Wolves on Saturday 13 September before the Champions League returns to St James’ Park.
Last week’s league phase draw saw the Magpies paired against Barcelona in their first match back in that competition. That game will take place at 8pm on Thursday 18 June at St James’ Park with their clash against Bournemouth pushed back by a day to Sunday 21 September.