Alexander Isak's injury record analysed - A risk to pay out a Premier League record fee?

39 games missed in 3 seasons 

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak finds himself in the middle of one of, if not the, biggest transfer sagas of the summer. The Swede is pushing for a move to champions Liverpool, but the Magpies are trying everything to keep him on their books, with reports emerging earlier this week that the north East club had not changed their stance that he is not for sale. However, Isak is now reportedly adamant he is leaving and actually refusing to ever play for the club again even if they don't sell him before the transfer window closes on September 1. It's becoming a messy situation.

If Isak is to swap the white and black of Newcastle for the red of Liverpool this summer, it will likely take a Premier League record fee to enable the move. The Reds made a bid believed to be worth around €127.5m at the start of August, which would surpass the league record they have already broke this summer to bring Florian Wirtz to Anfield for €125m, but that was firmly rejected. Some reports suggest the Magpies want closer to €170m to consider a sale. That is a mind boggling fee. Whilst Isak's quality cannot be questioned - he has turned into one of the very best players in the Premier League - the Swede has had quite a concerning injury record during his time at St James' Park. So for that kind of money, could signing Isak actually represent a big risk?

Alexander Isak's injury record at Newcastle

As illustrated in the graphic above, since Isak joined Newcastle in 2022, the striker has missed as many as 39 games for club and country in just three seasons. During his first campaign with the Magpies, a knee injury forced him to miss 18 matches. There have been repeated smaller knocks since which have totalled up to a further 21 games misses through injury. Last season was Isak's most reliable season when it comes to availability, which is certainly a positive sign, but fears over his fitness given the mooted fee will still remain. The way he plays too can sometimes make injuries more likely. Isak likes to dribble with the ball and invite challenges and has quite a wiry frame.

At his previous club Real Sociedad, he had much better luck, only missing five games through injury, but during his earlier days at Borussia Dortmund, availability was a constant issue. He missed 23 games in three seasons whilst with the Bundesliga outfit with many persistent smaller issues. Should Liverpool splash out a Premier League record fee to bring Isak to Anfield, few could doubt the quality that they would be obtaining. Proven in the league, in his prime at 25 years of age, and seemingly a perfect fit for their system. However, the one concern could lye around Isak's injury record.