Embarrassing comments on Alexander Isak arrive from Paul Merson - "That's a worrying sign..."

When Bruno Guimaraes arrived from Lyon back in January, Paul Merson questioned if he'd be able to cut it in English football because he'd "never played in the Premier League before..."

He also wondered why the "big boys" hadn't gone for the Brazilian, and he's now come up with the same drivel when assessing our club record move for Alexander Isak.

The Sky Sports pundit thinks it's a "worrying sign" that "big clubs" haven't gone in for him, feeling it's odd that "Barcelona or Real Madrid" didn't sign the 22-year-old after seeing plenty of him in Spain over the years.

It's just bizarre of Merson to lead with this rhetoric when a player of his undoubted potential has landed a move to the Premier League, with it well documented that he's one of Europe's most exciting young strikers within scouting circles.

He admits that Isak may prove him wrong and end up being another "gem" like Bruno, but seems to think we've overpaid for the Swedish international.

Here's what he had to say when speaking to Sportskeeda:

 “Newcastle have made a big statement with Alexander Isak’s signing. He hasn’t played in the Premier League.

“I haven’t seen the big clubs going after him, and it’s a lot of money.

"I haven’t seen Barcelona or Real Madrid going in for him either and they would’ve seen plenty of him in La Liga. That’s a worrying sign.

“Then again, the same would’ve been said about Bruno Guimaraes. Newcastle have hopefully got it right again with Isak.

"I’m not saying he won’t be a gem of a player, but will he still be a gem at £58 million?”

Is it big money? Yes, but to suggest it's a risky signing because we've beaten European giants to his signature is one of the more glass-half-empty takes you'll see this summer!