Expert issues Callum Wilson claim after £58m confirmed news from Newcastle United
Noel Whelan has insisted the signing of Alexander Isak at Newcastle will only inspire fellow strikers Callum Wilson and Chris Wood to “work harder and push more”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, commended the team “behind the scenes” at St James’ Park for finally landing their long-term target.
Newcastle confirmed the signing of Isak, 23, on Friday (26 August) – after originally being linked with the striker in the January window.
Sky Sports updated later that day to reveal the Magpies will pay a club-record £58million for the striker – who scored six league goals for Real Sociedad last term.
Toon boss Eddie Howe has hinted that the Sweden international’s signing was accelerated by an injury to Wilson – who is set to miss two weeks of action.
Whelan insisted Isak will bring longevity, goalscoring, and creativity to Newcastle.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “This will help Wilson and Chris Wood,”
“Bringing in another option – it tends to make people work harder, push more to keep their place. It also gives Newcastle that extra rotation option.
“Wilson is out again with another niggle – they need these options, and this is a player who was sought-after all over Europe.
“Not just Newcastle – but the biggest clubs all over Europe were in for this guy.
“It looks like they’re going to get a really good player through the door. Someone with that longevity, that goalscoring, that creativity.
“They’re buying all the right players at the moment, and you’ve just got to commend the people behind the scenes for working hard to get their man after the links all the way back in January.”
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