Newcastle United look set to smash the club transfer record as they close in on the signing of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
The Premier League club are widely reported to have almost reached agreement with Sociedad over a deal thought to be worth in the region of £58 million ($68.4m) for the 22-year-old Swede.
This would comfortably overtake the Tyneside club's previous record of the £40m they paid Hoffenheim for Joelinton and Lyon to secure the services of Bruno Guimaraes in January.
Isak joined the La Liga club in 2019 from Borussia Dortmund and has scored 44 goals in 132 games, with his strike on Sunday their only goal in the 4-1 home thrashing by Barcelona.
He also has nine goals in 37 caps for Sweden, the first of which came when he was just 17 and made him his country's youngest goalscorer.
His arrival would be the clearest example yet of Newcastle's newfound spending power since they were taken over by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium last year.
In January, Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Dan Burn, Matty Targett and Guimaraes were all brought in as the club looked to drag themselves out of the relegation zone.
Newcastle 3 Manchester City 3: player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope - 8, It’s not often you’ll see a goalkeeper get this score after conceding three, but Pope made a plethora of impressive saves and interventions, including tipping Erling Haaland’s effort on to the post and stealing the ball from Ilkay Gundogan’s toes. AFP -
Kieran Trippier - 6, Left Ilkay Gundogan alone in the box for the opener but went on to put in a strong defensive performance after that and scored a stunning free kick for Newcastle’s third. Was shown a red card for a cynical tackle on Kevin De Bruyne as he attempted to run through but it was downgraded to a yellow. Reuters -
Fabian Schar - 5, Could have done more to deny Gundogan for the opener and was booked for a late challenge on Phil Foden after being beaten to the ball. However, he battled well. Getty -
Sven Botman - 5, Some of his passing was off in the first half, but the Dutchman made a good header to find Callum Wilson in the opposition box, then made a good recovery after failing to deal with Phil Foden’s cross. Was saved by Pope after Haaland got behind him and struck over the crossbar. Action Images -
Dan Burn - 5, Put in a good defensive display for large periods but completely lost Bernardo Silva for Newcastle’s equaliser. Provided Botman with a good knockdown late on. Got away with an under-hit back pass in the final stages then went off after Botman kicked the ball into his face. Getty -
Joe Willock - 6, Gave the ball away cheaply leading to a good chance for City and he then made a good burst forward but waited slightly too long to play Wilson in. Put a good shift in. AFP -
Bruno Guimaraes - 7, Was booked inside eight minutes for a cynical foul on De Bruyne but did well to ensure he could make an impact without risking a second. Was unlucky not to get more after closing Rodri down. Getty -
Joelinton - 8, Got through so much impressive work in the middle both in attack and defence, encapsulated when he forced Kyle Walker into a mistake by pressing him at the end of the first half. Was booked for a late challenge on Haaland. Getty -
Miguel Almiron - 7, Hit a horrible shot over the crossbar after being teed up by Allan Saint-Maximin, but got his goal by touching the ball into the net with his thigh. Made a great run to cause panic for Ederson. Getty -
Callum Wilson - 7, Scuffed a shot straight into Ederson’s arms but then took a great touch and provided a composed finish to put Newcastle ahead. Getty -
Allan Saint-Maximin - 9, Troubled City’s defence all game and it was his running and quality final pass that created the openings for Newcastle’s first two goals. Then won the free kick for their third. AP -
SUBS: Chris Wood (Wilson, 70’) - 6, Had some good touches but no opportunities to get on the scoresheet. Getty -
Sean Longstaff (Willock, 70’) - 6, Got forward well to make a cross but it was blocked and worked hard for the team. Action Images -
Jacob Murphy (Almiron, 83’) – N/R, Put in some good work down the right to help his team earn the point. EPA -
Emil Krafth (Saint-Maximin, 94’) – N/R, Was beaten by Phil Foden but the cross came to nothing. Getty -
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 5, In addition to conceding three times, he was beaten to the ball by Almiron after coming out of his goal wildly, having to be bailed out by Joao Cancelo. EPA -
Kyle Walker - 3, Had a torrid time attempting to deal with Saint-Maximin and needed to do better in the build-up to both of the first two goals. Overhit his cross in the final seconds when City were attempting to work an opening for the winner. Getty -
John Stones - 3, His poor pass started the move that then saw him get beaten by Saint-Maximin for the first, and the Frenchman got past him too easily for the second. Was booked for sliding in to stop Saint-Maximin on the edge of his own box for the free kick that Trippier scored for Newcastle’s third. His quick thinking from the corner started the move that resulted in City’s second. AP -
Nathan Ake - 6, Was dominant on the ground and in the air before being forced off prematurely due to injury. Getty -
Joao Cancelo - 5, Was booked for a mistimed tackle on Almiron and he then did nothing to stop the Paraguayan scoring the equaliser. He slightly redeemed himself by making a great run and block to deny the same man. Reuters -
Kevin De Bruyne - 8, Had a good free kick attempt stopped by Pope. The Belgian’s cross created the chance for Haaland’s goal and he played an absolutely exquisite pass to find Bernardo Silva for the equaliser. Getty -
Rodri - 7, Hit two shots from range that did very little to trouble Pope and was unable to stop Newcastle breaking forward at times. Made a good header to deal with Trippier’s free kick delivery and did well to touch the ball into Haaland’s pass at the other end for City’s second. AFP -
Ilkay Gundogan - 7, Finished well for the opener after being afforded plenty of time in the Newcastle box and made some other good runs into dangerous areas. EPA -
Phil Foden - 6, Caused problems in the first half but was selfish and had a shot saved from a tight angle when Haaland was in space in Newcastle’s box. Was involved in lovely link-up play at times. EPA -
Erling Haaland - 7, His brilliant running despite being pulled back by Willock created a chance for De Bruyne but the Norwegian then snatched at an opportunity after good work from Gundogan. Was unlucky to see his shot tipped on to the post after coming up with a brilliant touch, but there was no stopping hi clinical finish that gave City hope. Reuters -
Bernardo Silva - 8, Showed brilliant composure and precision to pick out Gundogan for the opener. His under-hit pass almost got City in trouble but he made a great run and provided a tidy finish to equalise. EPA -
SUB: Ruben Dias (Ake, 21’) - 5, Was unable to stop Wilson putting Newcastle ahead then couldn’t keep his header down at the end of the first half. Unlucky to see his header go straight at Pope. EPA
Under the guidance of manager Eddie Howe, they survived in style, with only Liverpool (51) Manchester City (43), and Tottenham Hotspur (41) acquiring more than their 38 points after the new year – and would finish the season in 11th place.
During the summer, Targett joined on a permanent deal while England goalkeeper Nick Pope and Dutch defender Sven Botman all joined the Magpies – but the search for a new striker proved frustrating.
The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ivan Toney and Hugo Ekitike were all linked with a move – with the latter admitting he was close to joining but instead switched to another Ligue 1 club in Paris Saint-Germain from Reims.
And the club will be relieved that search now appears to have reached a successful conclusion, especially considering injury-prone first-choice striker Callum Wilson was sent for scans on a hamstring problem following Sunday's 3-3 draw with Manchester City.
Gallery: Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0
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Newcastle United's Callum Wilson celebrates scoring the second goal in the 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest on August 6, 2022. Reuters -
Newcastle United's Swiss defender Fabian Schar celebrates with Kieran Trippier after opening the scoring against Nottingham Forest. AFP -
Fabian Schar celebrates scoring the first goal. PA -
Newcastle's Callum Wilson scores their second goal past Forest's Dean Henderson. Action Images -
Callum Wilson (R) celebrates after scoring. EPA -
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe gestures during the match. AFP
