Just over a year ago (25 May 2025) Alexander Isak started in the final match of the Newcastle United 2024/25 season.
A 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park, the day when United confirmed a second Champions League qualification in three seasons.
None of us knew at the time that this was also to be Alexander Isak’s very final game in a Newcastle United shirt.
The Sweden international ending up refusing to even train with the rest of the Newcastle United squad, never mind play matches.
The club’s owners refusing to sell Alexander Isak and insisting he would be staying into the 2025/26 season, only to then sell him on summer 2025 deadline day to Liverpool for significantly more than a Premier League club had ever previously paid for a player.
Twelve months after playing his last ever match for Newcastle United, Alexander Isak now picking up this ‘top’ Premier League award.
Jeff Stelling on Talksport asked who deserved the award for worst Premier League signing of the past year.
Jeff Stelling: “There are a few contenders here…some of them at Stamford Bridge. It hasn’t worked out for Liam Delap [at Chelsea] , it hasn’t worked out for Jamie Gittens, [but] you know what? I think there is more to come from both of those two, so I wouldn’t write them off by any means. It hasn’t worked out for Alejandro Garnacho either [at Chelsea]. But for me, just because of the hoo-ha beforehand and the humungous £125million price tag, I’m afraid the worst signing, as it is now for me, goes down as Alexander Isak. Three goals and one assist, you don’t get much for your £125million, do you?”
Ally McCoist giving his opinion on worst Premier League signing of 2025/26: “That’s not up for debate, we are agreeing [on Alexander Isak]…As you say, the whole hoo-ha, which got to the stage it was boring, everybody in tears. Obviously injuries haven’t helped, I get that. The price tag, you talk about the pressure on Arne Slot next season, there is so much pressure on Isak to attempt to pay back some of that fee. It’s been a disaster.”