Al Hilal are keen on signing the Sweden international of Eritrean descent Alexander Isak in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) owned Riyad-based outfit has entered the negotiating table to convince the Magpies, also owned by PIF to part ways with Isak, who impressed last season with 27 goals and six assists in 42 games.
Al-Hilal are in the market for a centre-forward to bolster their squad for the 2025/26 football campaign, with Isak emerging as a priority target.
The Saudi giants had reached an agreement with Napoli for the acquisition of Victor Osimhen, but the former Lille star turned the move, favoring a move for Galatasaray.
Al-Hilal then considered Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is expected to return to Marseille, before moving on to a bigger fish.
The daunting prospect of signing Isak, due to his age, his worth and his suitors, would represent an extremely difficult task, but Al-Hilal are expected to push to the brim for the services of attacker.
Talks with the player’s entourage has already started and the SPL side now knows it would take a €130m transfer fee for Isak to leave St. James’ Park.
Isak has agreed to open negotiations with Al-Hilal, not necessarily for a transfer, but as a way to listen to their financial and sporting arguments.
With interest in Isak brewing, Newcastle United are looking to bolster Eddie Howe’s options up front. The Magpies are making progress to sign Brentford FC’s Yoane Wissa. But Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are also said to monitor the former FC Lorient striker.
