Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak had to answer questions at Newcastle United following his club-record move to Tyneside in 2022.
Isak made the move from Real Sociedad to St. James' Park in a £63 million deal, eclipsing the fee they paid for Joelinton when he joined from Hoffenheim in 2019.
The Sweden international has since made 89 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies and scored his 50th goal in Newcastle's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Isak has also impressed this season with thirteen goals in eighteen games in the Premier League, a total surpassed only by Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18).
He has now scored in seven consecutive top-flight games, becoming the third Newcastle player to do so, after Alan Shearer (September to November 1996) and Joe Willock (April to May 2021).
The 25-year-old has certainly repaid his high price tag from two years ago, with Howe quick to justify the fee they paid for the striker.
“The transfer fee is always difficult. Just looking at the fee, especially for me with my background, it's so much money and I don't think I'm sure you can commit to that,” Howe said.
“But then you look at the quality of the player and what he can bring. I won't say I didn't have doubts because you always have doubts about new signings, especially if the player is not playing in the league. There would always be are questions that Alex should answer.
“But I had very little doubt about his qualities. After watching him a lot, he was outstanding and I loved everything about him.
“It's a wonderful feeling when he walks in and you're still in love with him after a few days of working together.”
Isak has missed just three games in all competitions for Newcastle this season after breaking his toe at the end of September.
The Magpies take on League Two side Bromley in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend, and Howe said Isak would likely be rested ahead of their return to Premier League action against Wolves on Wednesday.
“We think he's in pretty good condition. He's at his physio at the moment. I've given him a few days' rest but he's in a good place and will report tomorrow. [when] I will have a good look at him,” the Magpies boss added.
“It doesn't look like a serious injury – not based on initial assessments. But we'll keep our fingers crossed.
“We probably would have involved him in some way in this game, but because of what happened, he would get this game to rest and get good for the future schedule that we have.”
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