Arsenal delivered bad news as Barcelona ‘eye’ Erling Haaland transfer alternative

Arsenal could be ‘set to’ rival Barcelona for the signing of Alexander Isak after reports suggest the latter mentioned the club have created a list of alternatives to Erling Haaland if they fail to sign the Norwegian this summer.

According to ESPN, via Sport, Barcelona have created a three-man shortlist consisting of Isak, Anthony and Lisandro Martinez as players they will look to sign if they can’t secure the services of Haaland.

This comes as bad news for the Gunners, who have been linked with Isak for some time.

However, as mentioned above, Mikel Arteta’s side could only face competition for the Swedish international if Barcelona fail to lure Haaland to the Camp Nou.

The Borussia Dortmund striker has a host of clubs interested in him this summer, especially with the introduction of a £64m release clause entering his contract.

It will be paramount for the Gunners to do all they can to bring Isak to the Emirates Stadium in order to prevent Barcelona from signing him first.

Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract in the summer, as is fellow forward Eddie Nketiah, so a striker is a key area for the club to strengthen.

Sport adds that Isak is ‘generating some doubts within Barcelona’, with the Swede only scoring eight goals in 26 appearances so far this season.

Nevertheless, the likelihood of Arteta signing the 22-year-old will come down to whether they are willing to activate his reported £76m release clause in his Real Sociedad contract - the figure stated by Mundo Deportivo.

Isak is also an established international star for Sweden, netting nine times in 31 caps.