Sweden's Euro 2020 star Alexander Isak linked with a move to Chelsea

Alexander Isak named MotM after Sweden's win vs Slovakia

Sweden have been the surprise of Euro 2020 so far. In a group with Luis Enrique's new-look Spain and Poland led by Robert Lewandowski, there's very few who would have expected them to top Group E. And with one of the oldest squads in the competition. But it's been youngster Alexander Isak who has been the driving force to their knockouts campaign.

Following his man of the match performance against Slovakia, Gary Lineker tweeted 'Don’t think there’s much doubt that Alexander Isak will attract a lot of attention from clubs across Europe. Exceptional talent.' He was not wrong.

The 21-year old, who has been branded as the 'next Zlatan Ibrahimovic',  has been tipped as a target for Chelsea, in part due to his pre-existing relationship with Thomas Tuchel.

The Swedish star has impressed in La Liga this season with Real Sociedad, scoring 17 goals in 30 league starts. He joined the Spanish outfit in 2019 for just £13.5m from Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund included a £25m buyback clause in the contract when they sold him, but it has since expired. Leaving Real Sociedad to drive the asking price. At minimum, any potential suitor would have to meet the £60m release clause that is currently set.

Thomas Tuchel has spoken very highly of the young Swede 'Alex is a very strong striker, who can play with his back toward goal and is strong in the combination. He scores a lot of goals, so it is great to have him here.

'The signing of Isak makes perfect sense. This gives the club a long-term solution for the position of striker. Isak is a very talented player.'

However his transfer to Borussia Dortmund from AIK in 2017 was met with controversy, with Tuchel leaving his role just a few months later following a blow up with the board over a number of issues.

The young star came up through the youth system of his boyhood club, AIK in Stockholm. And it didn't take long before he had a number of suitors from across Europe. 

He reportedly rejected a move to Real Madrid before agreeing a transfer to Thomas Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund side.

Tuchel and Isak at Borussia Dortmund training

However, the already unsettled boss did not immediately welcome the new addition to his squad. The German had been left in the dark over the young striker and made his feelings on the matter quite public.

'That's mostly transfers of players who can help immediately. You have to be involved from the very beginning.

'There are transfers like Alexander Isak now where the scouting staff and Michael Zorc do the groundwork. This means they know the player and he's on their radar because I did not know the player.

'It was like that with [summer signings] Ousmane Dembele and Emre Mor. They were scouted. My person only enters at a very late stage. That's just normal.'

He went on to say he 'did not veto the transfer' in an attempt to downplay the tensions with Zorc and give a fair opportunity to a young player in a new country.

Although their relationship is tipped to help Chelsea in any potential pursuit, it should be noted that Isak made just a single 4 minute cameo for Tuchel from a potential 25 eligible matches.