Alexander Isak is reportedly attracting interest from Arsenal, who want to bring in the 22-year-old striker next summer to freshen up their forward line.
According to Fichajes, Alexander Isak is a priority target for Mikel Arteta, who wants to continue building his squad with the centre forward position one of importance next summer. The 22-year-old Swedish striker will be a costly affair if Arsenal makes a final decision on the striker.
Alexander Isak has lived to his billing of being one of the most exciting forwards in European football. After an impressive UEFA Euro 2020 campaign with Sweden, the lanky striker has proved crucial to Real Sociedad’s charge to the top of La Liga this term. He has already managed to net five times in 12 appearances across competitions.
With scoring goals not a specialty, the Swede excels in other aspects of his game such as holding the ball up and providing a massive threat from set-pieces. His physical presence represents a kind of striker that would suit Premier League football, and it is no surprise that some of the top clubs are interested.
Sociedad envisaged a future sale and promptly offered him a new contract in the summer when some of the top clubs were interested. The new contract ties Isak with the club until 2026, which gives La Liga side the authority over any fee they may demand from interested parties.
The Manchester clubs are reportedly prepared to battle each other if Isak becomes available. During the previous window, some of the clubs interested in Erling Haaland often considered the Real Sociedad striker a viable alternative, including Chelsea, before bringing Romelu Lukaku back to London.
Arsenal were also showing an interest, as there was the possibility of Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving during the summer. The Gunners have retained interest as Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will likely exit when their contracts expire.
The situation will leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the inexperienced Folarin Balogun as the only recognised centre-forwards at Arteta’s disposal. The Gabonese is not getting any younger, and the Arsenal boss will likely refresh his front options by singing someone young.
Arsenal are prepared to prioritise Isak as their striker target for next summer, although they also hold an interest in Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic. Recent reports have suggested that the Serie A club have sounded out a fee to the Gunners and are willing to negotiate terms over a transfer.
That Vlahovic wants to wait and evaluate other offers might have prompted Arsenal to look at alternatives. Isak is a reasonable option to consider, as he offers many things the current Arsenal strikers lack. In the summer, their pursuit of Tammy Abraham pointed at Arteta seeking someone good in the air, and the Swede seems perfect.
Real Sociedad will certainly demand a huge transfer fee for Isak, and considering their reported willingness to pay Vlahovic’s asking price, the Gunners might be prepared to spend big on the 22-year-old Swede. Then again, any move will depend on the Serbian striker himself after evaluating the other offers he may receive from other big clubs.
