Newcastle will be 'delighted' to sell Alexander Isak after Liverpool saga proved costly
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
The transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak may finally be over, but Newcastle has already experienced the repercussions of a challenging situation this season.
Eddie Howe was unable to utilize the Swedish striker for the first three Premier League games before his move to Liverpool, with United failing to find the back of the net in two goalless draws against Aston Villa and Leeds.
Anthony Gordon's sending off against Liverpool meant that the Magpies had to deploy young forward Will Osula at Elland Road, but Howe will have new signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa at his disposal when the Magpies take on Wolves after the international break.
Read More.
Newcastle splurged in the final days of the transfer window, securing Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club record fee, while Wissa completed his move from Brentford on deadline day.
Former Arsenal forward and current Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith believes the Isak situation has hindered Newcastle's start to the season, insisting the Magpies will be "delighted" to have sold the striker and get this transfer saga behind them.
"It's the worst possible start to preseason, and leading up to the season, and the first few games as well, because you could argue that they've dropped points because of the Isak situation," Smith told BestBettingSites.co.uk.
.
So, it's not served them well at all.
"They would be delighted to see an end to the whole Isak situation and get on with things
"Then, again, they can have a really good season."
Newcastle might feel the absence of a player like Isak, but Smith is keen to see what Wissa and Woltemade can contribute to Howe's squad.
"Do I think Wissa can replace Isak
It sounds like he's a bit more of a 10, slightly withdrawn.
"It just shows you that maybe the lack of centre forwards around is why they paid £55 million for Wissa
He's a good player, he's had a good couple of seasons, but before that, not so great.
"We had not really heard of him in the top flight, anyway, so it's one of those that you're never gonna get a replacement straight, like for like, quality for quality, when it comes to Isak, so they'll be hoping he can do well.
"You know, because they've made some good signings in general, and with Woltemade, if he can do the business, then they're not in a bad spot."