Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak had questions to answer at Newcastle United following his club-record move to Tyneside back in 2022.
Isak made the move to St. James' Park from Real Sociedad in a reported £63million deal, eclipsing the fee they paid for Joelinton when he joined from Hoffenheim in 2019.
The Sweden international has since made 89 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies, scoring his 50th goal in Newcastle's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
Isak has also impressed this season, netting 13 goals in 18 outings in the Premier League, a total only bettered by Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18).
He has now scored in seven consecutive top-flight matches, becoming the third Newcastle player to do so after Alan Shearer (September to November 1996) and Joe Willock (April to May 2021).
The 25-year-old has most certainly repaid his hefty price tag from two years ago, with Howe quick to justify the fee they paid for the striker.
"The transfer fee is always a difficult one. If you look at the fee alone, especially for me with my background, it's such a lot of money and I think I'm not sure if you can commit to that," Howe said.
"But then you look at the quality of the player and what he can bring in. I won't say I had no doubts, because you always have doubts about new signings, especially when the player is not in the league. There would always be question marks that Alex would have to answer.
"But I had very few doubts about his qualities. Having watched him a lot, he was outstanding, and I loved everything about him.
"There's a lovely feeling when he comes through the doors, and you are still in love with him after a few days of working together."
Isak has missed just three games in all competitions for Newcastle this season after breaking his toe at the end of September.
The Magpies take on League Two side Bromley in the FA Cup third round this weekend, and Howe said Isak would likely be rested ahead of their return to Premier League action against Wolves on Wednesday.
"We think he's pretty good. He is seeing his physio at the moment. I've given him a couple of days' rest, but he is in a good place and will report back tomorrow [when] I will have a good look at him," the Magpies boss added.
"It doesn't look like a serious injury - not from the initial assessments. But fingers crossed.
"We would've probably involved him in this game in some way, but with what has happened, he'd be given this game to rest and get himself right for the future schedule that we have."
