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The Magpies are facing interest in one of their most valuable players

The key to a good trade is that both parties involved must feel as if they are receiving something worthwhile. It doesn't matter what is on the table - natural resources, livestock, Pokemon cards - the crux of the agreement must be mutually beneficial... or at the very least, create the illusion that it is. Evidently, nobody has let the gilet-wearing mavericks in the Chelsea boardroom in on this particular secret.

Over the past few days, several reports have emerged suggesting that the Blues are keen on prising Alexander Isak away from Newcastle United this summer. Presumably this would have been a much easier (but still nonetheless very difficult) ask prior to the Magpies sacrificing local-boy-done-good Elliot Anderson at the altar of Profit and Sustainability Rules. Regardless, Todd Boehly and his minions have not given up hope of signing the big Swede, and according to The Sun, have considered offering up Nicolas Jackson as a makeweight in any prospective agreement.

With Isak valued at in excess of PS100 million, the suggestion is that a deal would be in no way viable without an asset or two moving in the opposite direction. Even in that case, it may not be enough to tempt Newcastle into a sale, with manager Eddie Howe desperate to cling to his star centre forward.

But the real issue here is that Jackson did not show anywhere near enough during his first season in the Premier League to convince the Magpies that he would be a worthy replacement for Isak. By no means is the Senegalese forward a bad player, and despite the influx of memes that have been hurled his way in the months since he first arrived in England, there were definite moments during which he hinted towards an immense amount of potential; he works hard, he runs the channels well, and he does often find himself in goal-scoring positions.

The main concern, though, is that he lacks a certain clinical edge. He may have scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season, but his total xG suggests that he should have had somewhere closer to 19. Compare that to Isak, who registered 21 strikes from an xG of 22.06.

Newcastle know this, and are doing all they can to prevent their most dangerous player from leaving. As is their right. As they should be. And while the arrival of Jackson, plus another replacement brought in with a wedge of compensatory cash besides, could make up for the shortfall in goals that would inevitably rear its head were Isak to leave, why would Newcastle take that chance? They already have their main man, now they must keep him.