Al-Hilal speeding up talks to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak: Report

The Sweden international has reportedly opened talks with the Saudi club.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are speeding up talks to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, according to a report from L’Equipe.

The PIF-owned team from Riyadh have been talking for days to persuade the Magpies, who are also controlled by PIF, to sign the player of the Sweden international centre-forward, who showed promise in 42 appearances last season with 27 goals and six assists.

Al-Hilal are desperately need a striker for the upcoming season. Victor Osimhen, a former Lille OSC centre-forward who spent the previous season on loan with the Süper Lig giants Galatasaray, was among the options for Al-Hilal. However, he is set to sign a permanent contract with Galatasaray after the Turkish team struck an agreement with Napoli to buy him.

Al-Hilal desperate to sign a new striker

Before going on to a bigger fish, Al-Hilal were also considered signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is anticipated to return to Marseille, and Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus.

Given Isak’s age, value, and number of admirers, signing him would be a very challenging undertaking, but Al-Hilal would like to give it a shot. Discussions with the player’s family have already begun, and the SPL team is already aware that they would need to pay £150 million in transfer fees to acquire him from the Premier League side.

Isak has consented to start talks with them in order to hear Al-Hilal’s financial and sporting project, though not definitely for a transfer.

Newcastle United wants to increase Eddie Howe’s alternatives up front as interest in Isak grows. L’Equipe also reports that the Magpies are moving closer to signing Yoane Wissa from Brentford FC. However, the former FC Lorient attacker is reportedly being watched by Thomas Frank’s Tottenham as well.

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