The theory goes that Isak is now such a rare commodity in the world game – a goalscorer in the number nine mould who blends technique with pace, power and an elite mentality – that Newcastle’s valuation will be so high no club could realistically match it.
An asking price of £150m has been speculated, which would smash the British transfer record. Arsenal are keen and this week has seen links with Liverpool that appear to have some substance.
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Read MoreSpanish reports have claimed Isak is a top target for Barcelona too, pitching his valuation, laughably, at £75m.
That will allow them to move into the close season thinking about making big signings rather than contemplating unpalatable, cut-price sales.
If the club are in Europe’s elite competition and offering him chances to win domestic silverware, is there really any reason for him to go?
Isak is a confident character behind the scenes but remains acutely aware that he has improvements to make in his game.
Based on this season’s numbers, there’s not far for Isak to go. Football data consultancy firm Analytics FC assesses players by a unique model known as “Goal Difference Added”, which assigns a contribution value to their on-pitch actions.
Isak’s numbers are through the roof: he’s in the top 10 per cent of Premier League strikers across every metric – touches in the box, carrying, key passes and open play attacking headers.
Isak is in the top 10 per cent of Premier League strikers on most metrics (Photo: Reuters)It is no wonder that Newcastle have aspirations to reopen talks with Isak over a contract extension in the summer. The forward’s current weekly wage is understood to be around the £145,000 mark and a pay bump would be reasonable given his rising stock across European football.
But there’s a recognition that talks might not be straightforward, and his agents could even push for a release clause that mirrors the one Bruno Guimaraes had in the improved contract he signed nearly a year ago.
If they can replicate the success of the Isak deal – and the £63m they paid now looks like an astonishing bargain – there should be some optimism on Tyneside.
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With increased PSR headroom this close season, those moves are seen as much more realistic than in previous transfer windows.
He recently told Alan Shearer that he was aware of its significance to supporters, and he is perhaps the closest thing those Newcastle fans have witnessed since he hung up his boots nearly two decades ago.
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