Dear Alexander Isak, why did you choose to join the group of Los Blancos haters who think no young and talented player like you will ever wish to play alongside a “corrosive” Cristiano Ronaldo?
Was it an advise from Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Maybe not.
Björn Wesström, AIK Solna Sporting Drector, confirmed there’s a reason for Isak’s decision to join Borussia Dortmund instead of Real Madrid.
The highly talented forward signed a contract that will keep him in Germany until 2022.
Wesström, 44, explained on Tuesday that the youngster who has been described as “the next Zlatan” made a very hard decision to join the German club despite being in advanced talks with Madrid.
Swedish side AIK Solna admitted on 24 January that their 17-year-old star almost joined the Spanish giants but changed his mind after receiving a better offer from Dortmund.
The final agreement was said to have favored all parties involved, and was more enticing than Madrid’s attractive offer.
Wesström clarified that the package from Dortmund was the best deal, especially for Isak’s career.
In his words: “There were some advanced talks with Real, with Isak too.”
Hjärtligt välkommen, Alexander Isak! ✌️#welcomeisak #bvb Alle Infos:https://t.co/ZadYC8FTSX pic.twitter.com/GObv1G803Z
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) 23 January 2017
“The speculation is seldom wrong.”
Both AIK and Dortmund referred to Isak’s transfer value as “an undisclosed amount.”
However, reports from Sweden claim the mouth-watering among is close to €9 million with some add-ons, which is a record transfer fee for the Scandinavian country.
If rumors turn out to be true, the 17-year-old would have surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s value at the time he moved from Malmo to Ajax way back in 2001.
“The speculation is seldom wrong,” Wesström told reporters at a press conference, adding that they’re amazed at the huge benefits from Isak’s sale.
“The negotiations were as they usually are, with the difference being that these were dizzy figures,” he added.
Read: Why Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Disappointed Manchester United and Arsenal.
Borussia Dortmund posted an official statement on its website to confirm the done-deal for Isak, who made his first international appearance earlier this month against Ivory Coast.
“Borussia Dortmund have signed talented young Swedish striker Alexander Isak,” read the club’s statement.
“Due to the fact that Isak is still a minor, the completion of the transfer still requires special approval by world football’s governing body FIFA, which all parties expect to receive very soon.”
On 12 January, 2017, Isak scored in his second international game against Slovakia to become Sweden’s youngest goalscorer.
Read: Borussia Dortmund Officially Confirm Henrikh Mkhitaryan Has Joined Manchester United.
Michael Zorc, Dortmund’s Sporting Director, admits they were lucky to have beaten some of the biggest European clubs to have Isak as one of their youngest stars.
In his words: “Alexander Isak is a hugely talented striker, who many top clubs in Europe wanted to sign.
“We are delighted that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund. Both BVB and the player himself are convinced that this transfer has great potential.”
The 17-year-old striker seem to have everything moving so fast. He made his professional debut at the age of 16 barely a year ago when he proved himself a star by scoring for AIK against Tenhults IF.
Wise decision. He needs time to play and prove himself, not millions of money on the bench.