EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal reignite interest in Newcastle star Isak

Steve Kay

• Updated: 9 Jan 2024 13:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal remain huge admirers of Newcastle hitman Alexander Isak, sources close to the club have revealed to FootballTransfers.

The Gunners are expressing a keen interest in securing the services of the Swedish striker. Although there's no confirmation of an imminent January signing, we are told that Isak is highly regarded within the Arsenal recruitment team, with head coach Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu keeping tabs on the former Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund striker.

The Gunners had targeted Isak during the summer of 2022, aiming to reunite him with former Sociedad teammate Martin Odegaard. However, negotiations faltered at that time due to concerns over the player's release clause, which Arsenal deemed too high, and he eventually moved to Newcastle for £58 million fee rising to £63m including add-ons, where he’s since flourished.

Despite missing out on Isak in the past, it seems that Arsenal's interest in the 24-year-old striker has not waned, especially given his goal record in the Premier League. He has scored 19 goals in the league across 37 matches for the Magpies so far.

Will Newcastle sell Alexander Isak?

While the Gunners might not be actively pursuing a January transfer for Isak, we understand that they may revisit negotiations in the upcoming transfer window. The North London side are targeting an elite striker to come and already have interest in Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

Newcastle are currently hamstrung by FFP constraints and sporting director Dan Ashworth has previously alluded to the need to sell eventually, saying: “At some stage, you need to trade.” Though Newcastle will of course deem Isak unsellable, it remains to be seen how hard Arsenal push for his signature in the upcoming window.

There is an acceptance at the club that they must invest heavily to bolster their frontline to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title and competing with Manchester City and Liverpool in subsequent seasons.