Arsenal are seriously weighing up a transfer alternative to Newcastle United star Alexander Isak who they are convinced will be much cheaper, with the attacker having also enjoyed an excellent 2024/2025 campaign thus far.
Arsenal want Alexander Isak but Newcastle unlikely to sell
The Gunners are reliably reported admirers of Isak, and manager Mikel Arteta in particular is believed to be a real fan.
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The Gunners are still in the market for a centre-forward.
Reports as far back as May last year claimed Isak is Arteta’s dream signing for Arsenal, and his admiration for the superstar Premier League striker doesn’t appear to have waned in the slightest.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein stated this month that Isak is top of Arteta’s transfer wishlist, but Eddie Howe won’t be in any hurry to green-light the sale of his key player, even if those around Arsenal believe he is perfect for the club’s system.
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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 |
“I’ve always said that Alexander Isak is perfect for Arsenal. He would be at the top of my list of new forwards if he were to become available,” said Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts in late 2024.
“He’s long been mentioned as a potential target, but I don’t believe there have ever been any talks or anything like that.
“The word coming out of Newcastle has always been that Isak has not been for sale and given the money it would take to change that stance, Arsenal have focused attention elsewhere, like on Benjamin Sesko for example. I would love to see Arsenal at least try and have a conversation about a potential move.
“The issue is, however, that Isak’s current deal does not run out until 2028, so Newcastle are still in a very strong position. It would still take huge money to prize him away from St James’ Park.”
The list of potential alternatives to Isak is interesting, with reports claiming Arsenal are still very much targeting RB Leipzig’s Sesko for the summer window after their hopes of a deal faded in January.
As well as the Slovenia international starlet, it is now believed that Eintracht Frankfurt newbie Hugo Ekitiké is on their list of targets.
Arsenal “majorly considering” Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are “majorly considering” Ekitike as a cheaper alternative to Isak, following the Frenchman’s brilliant 24/25 campaign where he’s managed 17 goals in all competitions thus far.
Ekitike was on the fringes of PSG’s first-team before making an initial loan move to Frankfurt in 2024, with the Bundesliga side then opting to make his transfer permanent last summer.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life in Germany, so much so that his form is now attracting serious interest from both Arsenal and London rivals Chelsea. However, as expected, Ekitike’s club are in no rush to sell him, and will demand a set fee of £60 million to let the forward go before next season.
Interestingly, West Ham were heavily linked with a summer deadline day move for Ekitike in 2023, so this isn’t the first time he’s garnered attention from English clubs.
“There is something very special about him,” said former Reims boss Oscar Garcia. “He’s young, and he has the quality to become a very good player. He’s a young man with a lot of quality but also a lot to improve on, but he works hard in training.”
