Arsenal can now sign a January striker target for a very affordable fee this summer, following their rejected bid in the winter transfer window.
Arsenal targeting Alexander Isak alternatives
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is a priority transfer choice for manager Mikel Arteta, according to various reports, but a deal for the superstar Premier League striker will be very hard to pull off.
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Arsenal seriously considering £60m Isak alternative after 17-goal haul
The Magpies star could be too unattainable.
Arteta is a real fan of Isak, and has the Swede at the very top of his personal striker wishlist, according to David Ornstein, but Newcastle have zero intention of selling and he could be priced out of the market.
“The way he [Isak] has developed and flourished is just spectacular, and it probably makes Arsenal rue their missed opportunity,” said Ornstein on the Sky Sports Back Pages podcast earlier this month.
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Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
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West Ham (home) |
February 22nd |
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Nottingham Forest (away) |
February 26th |
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Man United (away) |
March 9th |
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Chelsea (home) |
March 16th |
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Fulham (home) |
April 1st |
“There’s no doubt that he is the player that Mikel Arteta has at the top of his list. If he was to sign a striker, he’s seen as perfect for Arsenal’s system and everything he offers. But Newcastle fans will hate hearing that, because they’ve got him under contract for a few years yet. He’s their key player. He’s at the centre of what they and their Saudi-led ownership are doing.
“And they’ve got no intention of seeing him go anywhere. They want him to sign a new contract. If they don’t qualify for the Champions League, maybe there’s a consideration, but the price will be phenomenally high.”
Some reports this week have even suggested that Newcastle could demand around £160 million to sell Isak, which would be the second-highest fee in football history after Neymar’s £198 million move to PSG.
As such, Arteta’s side are weighing up other options, with Arsenal seriously considering Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Hugo Ektike. Meanwhile, they’ve also been repeatedly linked with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.
Arsenal can sign Dušan Vlahović for just £33 million
The Serbian is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of this season, meaning Arsenal could sign Vlahovic for just £33 million in a bargain deal, according to Calciomercato.
Fiorentina’s ex-star has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for the Old Lady this season, with Arsenal having a loan bid rejected for Vlahovic in January.
However, it appears the 25-year-old’s contract situation and fall behind Randal Kolo Muani could hand Arteta the chance to sign a prolific alternative to Isak at a very reasonable cost. Vlahovic has also been called the “strongest striker” in Serie A by his compatriot, Filip Kostić.
“He is very happy with my arrival. It feels wonderful to be a part of Juventus, which is among the biggest clubs in the world. It fills me with pride. It is important to have someone who speaks the same language. Having Dusan by my side is essential,” said Kostic in 2022.
“He is the strongest striker in the league. I’m fortunate to be able to play alongside him.”
