Aston Villa wanted to sign Newcastle United-bound Alexander Isak last summer – report
By Sean Fisher
Alexander Isak looks set to complete a £59million move to St James Park this week, but the Swedish forward could have ended up in claret and blue last season, according to Birmingham Live.
As Villa braced for Jack Grealish’s departure, the club shortlisted a number of possible replacements, with Real Sociedad’s 22-year-old forward making the cut.
A number of other Premier League clubs showed interest in the Swede after he netted 17 goals in 34 La Liga matches, but he signed a five-year deal with the Spanish side to fight off any bids.
After their pursuit of Isak failed, Villa instead turned their attention towards Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, with Dean Smith wanting to inject more creativity and lethality into the side.
A missed opportunity
Hindsight is always handy, but signing a promising 22-year-old striker over 30-year-old Ings does make much more sense.
Isak proved last season that his 2020/21 scoring streak was not just a one-off, and he now looks set to be the “one that got away” from Villa as he undoubtedly goes and scores bucket loads of goals for Newcastle.
One of Smith’s biggest regrets will likely be not signing a young, hungry striker to partner Ollie Watkins last season, and Steven Gerrard doesn’t seem to be coping much better with Villa’s forward line either.
It’s unclear how much Villa pushed to lure Isak to Birmingham last season, but what is clear is the side’s continuous need for a consistent goalscorer.
Isak’s still an unproven star in the Premier League, but with pace, versatility and physicality in his locker, he has all the tools to make Villa regret their strategy last summer.
Newcastle’s new star could show Villa exactly what they’re missing.
In other Aston Villa news, Jan Bednarek is close to joining on loan.