Arsenal 'desperate' to land Premier League sensation with £100m asking price
Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker continues with four-man shortlist revealed
It was a heart-breaking end to what had been an impressive season for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta’s side once again came up second best to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Arsenal lost out on the league title by just two points and they now head into the summer transfer window on the hunt for an out-and-out striker that can help them finally lift that trophy under Arteta. The Emirates side have made no secret of their desire for a new goal-scorer and Football Insider has now claimed Alexander Isak is a key target.
Newcastle’s Isak has now become part of a ‘four-man’ shortlist to fill the number 9 spot but with the Magpies determined to keep hold of the Swedish star, they have placed a £100m price tag on him.
While already on a contract that should see him stay at St’ James’ Park until 2028, Newcastle are keen to offer Isak, 24, an improved deal that would put him among the club’s top earners such as Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier. He has enjoyed an exceptional second season with the Magpies, scoring 25 goals in 40 appearances as the club made a return to the Champions League as well as securing a seventh-place Premier League finish.
Former CEO of Everton, Keith Wyness, also weighed in on the potential move for Isak confirming he could make the perfect frontman for the Gunners. Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Wyness said: “I think you’d be looking at somewhere between £80-100m and there will be interest in trying to take him away from Newcastle.
“He seems like he’d be the perfect player up front for Arsenal. There’s a lot of issues with strikers at some of the top clubs. Isak has had some trouble with injury but when he’s fit he has shown that he’s at that level.”
Isak joins his Swedish teammate Viktor Gyokeres in being a summer target for the Gunners. Gyokeres, however, will also not be a cheap option with Sporting CP hoping to secure the full £86m release clause for his sale. The 25-year-old striker has been on flying form for Ruben Amorim’s side, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 49 appearances this campaign.
While Arteta is set to be given sufficient funds this summer, said funds will not be unlimited meaning the Gunners could continue their pursuit of the cheaper striking options such as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko (£55m) or Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee (£51m).