Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been lauded by his former coach Gerry Vink, who believes the Swedish international could have been a standout player for Ajax had circumstances aligned differently.
Isak, born in Solna, Sweden, to Eritrean parents, began his professional career with AIK before moving to Borussia Dortmund.
In 2019, he was loaned to Dutch side Willem II, where he was managed by Vink. During his stint in the Eredivisie, Isak impressed with 13 goals in 16 appearances.
Reflecting on that period, Vink told ESPN that Ajax had the opportunity to sign Isak for €11 million.
However, a reported conflict between Ajax’s then-sporting director Marc Overmars and Isak’s agent, Vlado Lemic, prevented the transfer.
“Apparently there is a whole story behind it. Marc Overmars (Ajax’s then sporting director) and the agent (Vlado) Lemic did not get along.
“Ajax could have brought him in for 11 million euros – a pittance for Ajax at the time. But because of that conflict (between Overmars and Lemic) it didn’t happen.”
After his tenure at Willem II, Isak transferred to Real Sociedad, where he continued to develop his skills over three seasons. In 2022, he made a move to Newcastle United for a club-record fee of €75 million.
In the current 2024–2025 season, Isak has been in remarkable form, scoring 24 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Isak’s performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from top European clubs. Despite this, he remains committed to Newcastle, with his contract running until 2028. The club is reportedly planning to discuss a new deal to secure his long-term future.
