EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal copy Chelsea’s Isak stance as Newcastle make transfer fee clear

Steve Kay

Updated: 29 Jun 2024 22:10 BST
3 min read

Arsenal continue to take a serious interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but the prospect of the Gunners completing a deal is slim, FootballTransfers can reveal.

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Mikel Arteta’s side have been keeping their eyes on the market for an available striker for months, yet with Kai Havertz in excellent form, they will not be drawn into overpaying for any individual.

Isak is one of the players they have their eyes on, yet Newcastle are liable to price them out of a move.

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STATS

Alexander Isak

F (CR), AM (L)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (CR), AM (L)

Newcastle Utd.

30

Games
21

Goals
2

Assists

According to sources close the deal, the Magpies will only start talks at £110 million (€130m), which would represent a club-record fee for the North London side, surpassing the fee they paid West Ham United for Declan Rice last summer.

FootballTransfers understands that the Emirates club can afford to match Newcastle’s asking price, yet they are likely to prioritise a move in midfield instead.

The St James’ Park outfit may be willing to drop their price if Arsenal throw in Aaron Ramsdale as part of the transfer, yet FootballTransfers revealed that the Gunners are reticent to allow the England keeper to leave, despite the fact he was second choice behind David Raya for much of last term.

Arsenal and Chelsea in agreement over transfer fee

Arsenal’s stance towards Isak mirrors that of Chelsea, who are also interested in signing the 24-year-old Sweden international centre-forward, who is under contract until June 2028.

The Blues have also baulked at the possibility of making a move at Newcastle’s asking price.

The position of both Arsenal and Chelsea is easy to understand given that Isak’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at only €62.5m, with a top-end valuation of the player coming out at €78.1m.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are eager to retain the services of arguably their greatest asset, with Isak having scored 21 times in what was an impressive second season in the Premier League after making a €70m move from Real Sociedad in 2022.