MANCHESTER UNITED have been tipped to break the bank to bring Alexander Isak to Old Trafford.
Isak, 25, is in hot form for Newcastle and is attracting interest from a number of top clubs as a result.
The Swede has scored 15 goals in 22 games this season – including in the Toon’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Arsenal – cementing himself as one of the best centre-forwards in the world at the moment.
But with that kind of reputation comes with a fitting price tag.
Newcastle have reportedly slapped a £150MILLION asking price on their star man, who they themselves splashed £63m on when they signed him from Real Sociedad in 2022.
But according to one Man Utd legend, the Red Devils should do everything they can to find the cash behind the sofa and bring Isak to Manchester.
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Treble winner Teddy Sheringham reckons that United still have the pulling power to lure Isak away from Newcastle.
Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, Sheringham said: “Manchester United is still a massive draw for any player and playing for the club is still a highlight of anyone’s career.
“Would Alexander Isak consider joining United if a bid came in? Without a doubt. I’m not saying a deal will get done but he would be the perfect signing for United.
“He can lead the line and score goals and could be a statement signing for the new regime. He is full of confidence at the moment and could lead by example.”
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It would certainly be a risk for Isak with Man Utd currently languishing down in the 13th in the league table and unlikely to secure any kind of European football.
While current club Newcastle are one of the in-form teams in the league, winning their last seven games on the bounce and looking likely to push for a Champions League place.
United will also have to contend with other top sides rivalling them for Isak’s signature.
Arsenal are well-documented admirers of the Magpies star, while league leaders Liverpool have also been linked with a switch.
Any potential buyer will likely have to break the English transfer record if Newcastle are going to stick to their asking price of £150m.
Manchester United are already flirting with FFP breaches and it’s unlikely that they would be able to find the funds to convince Newcastle to sell.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have already been taking extreme cost-cutting measures to try and balance the books at the Theatre of Dreams.
While United already invested £72m in Rasmus Hojlund in the summer of 2023 and could be hesitant to front up more cash for another striker.
EDDIE HOWE has got “the richest club in the world” fighting for honours regularly again despite not being able to blow the big Saudi bucks.
The 47-year-old achieved legendary status at Bournemouth by guiding the then-skint Cherries all the way from League Two into the Premier League promised land.
Now he is potentially on the verge of writing his name into Newcastle’s history books if he can end their 70-year wait for a major trophy.
Howe came mightily close two years ago when he and the Magpies suffered heartbreak in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.
Qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish softened that blow, and now he is eyeing more than just another Wembley outing as he takes Toon to Arsenal for the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semis.
Of course, it has been nothing like those early days at Bournemouth for Howe since he took charge in November 2021 just weeks after their Saudi takeover.
There was a big outlay that January transfer window in order to assure the club’s Premier League status, but despite reaching the Champions League, PSR rules have delayed their path straight to football’s top table.
Though, despite the purse strings being tightened and even being forced to sell young starlets against his wishes, Howe still has Newcastle punching with the big boys for silverware.
The question is though – how has he done it and how far can he go?
