Arsenal have been given a clear message regarding any move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer.
It emerged on Wednesday that Chelsea are keen on signing the Sweden international after a superb season for the 24 year-old, who scored 25 goals in 40 games for the Magpies in 2023/24.
Reports in the national press have claimed that any move would have to be for a transfer fee north of the £115million the Blues forked out for Moises Caicedo last summer.
That means Arsenal would simply have to fork out another club-record transfer fee only a year on from spending £105million on Declan Rice as part of a £200million-plus spending spree that included moves for Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber from Chelsea and Ajax respectively.
Whether the Gunners can spend again while remaining in line with financial fair play rules is unclear, but they do have assets to sell as they did last year with Folarin Balogun so there could be potential wiggle room for Mikel Arteta.
Lee Wilmot
Arsenal need a striker in the summer transfer window and for me, Alexander Isak would be the perfect signing. The issue here is the money. Newcastle are going to demand more than £100million to let him go, given their reluctance to lose their star striker.
The financial situation should not be a problem, however. Yes Arsenal need to comply with Financial Fair Play and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, but they can solve that through player sales.
The Gunenrs are not averse to spending more than £100million – they did so just last year to fill a big hole in their squad by signing Declan Rice. He was their number one target and they got the very expensive deal done.
A striker is now Arsenal number one need this year, and Isak is the best option in my view, so go and do what you did with Rice and get the deal done.
Tom Canton
A miracle? In all seriousness, a move from Arsenal for Alexander Isak is very unlikely despite Mikel Arteta’s keen interest in the striker who would be the perfect number-nine for his side.
It is a shame that this is the case because of how fit-for-purpose Isak is in this particular Gunners team. Arsenal would love a striker of the Swede’s profile who has height, speed, and great finishing ability.
However, the contract situation at Newcastle, and the lack of desperate need for them to sell has meant that they have plenty of control. It would need Isak to really push for an exit to make something happen at a more reasonable price tag.
This price is expected to be in excess of £100million, way over in fact, and the Swede appears comfortable to remain in the northeast with suggestions he could be in line to renew his current deal giving the Magpies even more security. The idea that Arsenal would go to a triple million-pound figure this window would require a huge number of high-profile sales which again is not expected to this degree.
With that said, Arsenal should be looking to other targets such as Viktor Gyokeres or instead opt for a wide player like Xavi Simons or Johan Bakayoko. Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus offer Arteta plenty of firepower until a chance to get Isak or an equivalent opens up,
Sam Truelove
Alexander Isak would be Arsenal’s dream signing this summer. The Sweden international is a class act and would improve the Gunners’ front line drastically.
Capable of playing on the left wing or as a No.9, Isak would be a real upgrade on Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. The 24-year-old scored 25 goals in 40 appearances last season and is no doubt one of the best strikers in the Premier League.
The problem Edu and Mikel Arteta face is the transfer fee it will take to bring Isak to Emirates Stadium. Newcastle do not want to lose their main man and will ask for more than £100million. Considering the Gunners paid £105million for Declan Rice last summer, have they got the funds to pay out big once again? Only time will tell but players such as Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Kieran Tierney could fetch decent fees if sold and that money could help sign a world class talent like Isak.
Jack Flintham
We can all be in agreement that Isak had a standout season for Newcastle and he would be an asset to any squad. His pace, strength and eye for a goal make him absolutely suited to the Premier League.
However, pursuing the Swede in this transfer window feels like a complete waste of everyone’s time. Newcastle don’t want to sell hence the astronomical price tag, Isak doesn’t want to leave and has expressed how happy he is at St James’ Park and Arsenal are not THAT desperate for a striker they would spend around £126million on him.
Yes, a centre-forward is on the radar this summer for Arteta and Isak matches the profile of striker they are aspiring for but that price is way too much considering other areas like full-back and central midfield need strengthening. The good news for Arsenal is that Chelsea are unlikely to swoop in and seal a deal this summer.
Therefore, the Gunners should look to put this move on the backburner for now and focus on more affordable targets.
Matt Abbott
Alexander Isak is exactly the striker Arsenal need in the same way that Declan Rice was the standout midfielder to move for last summer. Mentions of the £100million fee to took to prise the England international from West Ham United are now few and far between.
Whether the club can go again while complying with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules is a concern. But there is no doubt that they should.
Signing any striker this summer will seemingly cost a small fortune. Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting has an £86million release clause that the Lisbon club will seemingly stick to. And that is for a player who has yet to play in a top-five league and Brighton and Hove Albion of all clubs were happy to cash in on three years ago.
Isak hit the ground running in the Premier League at around the same age as Gyokeres was on the south coast and would have more than 35 goals for Newcastle if not for injuries. After first seeing the striker shine in the North East, it would be unbearable to watch the centre-forward flourish in west London or elsewhere in the Premier League next season.
Amie Wilson
Signing a proven Premier League striker who is a standout player for his team is always going to cost big money, but the sort of figures being talked about for Alexander Isak should prompt Arsenal to walk away from a deal – that is of course the objective that Newcastle have.
Yes, Isak would be an upgrade on the options currently available to Mikel Arteta, and there is sometimes you have to move for a target once identified. Arsenal did so last summer with the signing of Declan Rice.
But a line has to be drawn too, especially with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) in mind. If Arsenal pay a second huge fee in two years for a player it could potentially weaken their bargaining power in future negotiations with clubs.
If they show that they can move away and move onto other targets, then it gives the selling side something else to think about. While Isak would be a brilliant signing, this might be one of those times where oter targets would give the club much better value for money.
