Ex-pros just keep getting it wrong on future of ace Alex

Published date18 April 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
The Swede has found the net 21 times in 34 appearances this term and is averaging a Premier League goal every 104 minutes

As such, it is no surprise to see Isak being linked with another big money switch in the near future, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham just a few recently-named suitors, but it seems as though the pundit class in this country have lost their marbles when it comes to the striker's future on Tyneside.

Let's start with Darren Bent. A top quality Premier League export who found the back of the net 106 times in the top flight, the former journeyman knows what it takes to succeed at the top level. He has since made a very successful post-playing career on the airwaves at talkSPORT.

Yet inexplicably, the usuallyknowledgable Bent believes Arsenal may be able to poach Newcastle's most valued attacker this summer for a meagre £80m - just £17m more than the Magpies spent bringing him to St James' Park in 2022.

"£80-100 million, and I would happily pay it," Bent said when quizzed over the 24-year-old. Double it and maybe you'll get a call back from one of the Newcastle hierarchy. After all, United may be forced to ponder tempting offers for important players this summer given Premier League sustainability rules; but the hope is that they can keep the likes of Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon for the long-term. Eddie Howe, quizzed on Isak's future again over the weekend, reaffirmed his stance that the former Real Sociedad man is too vital to let go.

"Your top players, the elite ones, are so difficult to recruit, they're so difficult to find, so when we get them, we've got to try to keep them," the Newcastle boss told reporters.

It's a good job Jose Enrique isn't in charge of Newcastle's recruitment this summer then, given he recently offered his opinion as to why Isak should be the...

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