Chelsea PULL OUT of Alexander Isak transfer race in move which could come at a huge cost to Everton
Chelsea have withdrawn from talks over signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle due to their reluctance to meet the club’s £100million-plus valuation.
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations have told SunSport that Newcastle would not even consider bids below £100m for Isak and believe the Swedish striker’s true value in the current market is closer to £120m.
Chelsea spoke to Newcastle about Isak earlier this week after new head coach Enzo Maresca made signing a regular goalscorer his club’s priority this summer, but they will have to look elsewhere.
Newcastle are understood to believe that Chelsea were seeking to exploit their well-documented PSR problems by making a low bid in the hope that the club’s desperation to raise funds this week would see them sell Isak.
Chelsea would also have struggled to match Isak’s wage demands given the club’s new policy of offering players longer contracts with lower wages under Todd Boehly.
Isak earns around £120,000-a-week at Newcastle and with the club ready to offer him a new contract would have demanded closer to £200,000 to join Chelsea.
Newcastle’s valuation of Isak is also influenced by the fact that his former club Real Sociedad would be due 10 per cent of any transfer fee as a legacy of the £65million deal that took him to St James Park two years ago.
The 24-year-old has scored 35 goals in 67 appearances for Newcastle since then and improved significantly last season, banging in 25 goals.
Isak’s current contract at Newcastle expires in 2028 with the club ready to offer him a two-year extension.
Arsenal are long-term admirers but have yet to make any contact with Newcastle.
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Chelsea’s failed pursuit of Isak could have a knock-on effect as Everton struggle to meet their June 30 PSR deadline.
Sun Online can reveal that Eddie Howe regards Calvert-Lewin as his number one target should the Magpies lose star striker Alexander Isak this Summer.
The Magpies would have been willing to offer Calvert Lewin a five-year-deal were he to join from Everton.
After a frustrating season with injuries, Calvert-Lewin has told sources he hopes to make a big impact this season.
He is already preparing for the new campaign with light training work.
Although Calvert Lewin is settled at Everton and enjoys a good relationship with Sean Dyche, he would be keen on the chance to play for Newcastle.
Not only does he believe it would allow him to play in Europe, but it would also ensure he can remain in the north of England where he’s settled.
