Alexander Isak: David Ornstein drops HUGE Arsenal transfer update with ‘top of agenda’ message

Robin Bairner

Updated: 6 Feb 2025 03:48 CST
4 min read

Alexander Isak, Newcastle, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Alexander Isak is Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s perfect striker, according to David Ornstein, who has discussed the prospect of the Gunners landing the Newcastle United ace.

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Another transfer window has gone by with Arsenal failing to land a No.9.

Compared

Kai Havertz

F (C)

Arsenal

Kai Havertz

F (C)

Arsenal

VS

Gabriel Jesus

F (C)

Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus

F (C)

Arsenal

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

37	Appearances	26
17	Goals	7
7	Assists	2
37	Shots On Target	19
36	Shots Off Target	10
92	Shots Total	41

Landing such a player in January seemed more probable this time around given the Gunners’ clear need for a centre-forward due to an injury to Gabriel Jesus and the unpredictability of Kai Havertz’s finishing.

The links were there - Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and even, tentatively at times, Isak – but the deal was not.

Now there will be a renewed urgency to make such a signing in the summer, says Ornstein.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Arsenal have really neglected this area and that’s why it’ll be top of their agenda for the summer.”

Current ETV

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

ETV Range

€69M - €84.3M

Alexander Isak transfer latest

Isak will inevitably emerge as a target once more, but Ornstein does not believe the Newcastle hitman is a serious possibility.

“There isn’t a latest. Arsenal missed their chance with Isak a couple of years ago when they considered signing him from Real Sociedad. For whatever reason, they didn’t go through with the deal,” Ornstein said.

“He ended up at Newcastle. There was scrutiny about that deal at that time. He went there for €60m, so not the highest price, but he had been a bit off form and had suffered from some injuries.

The way he has developed and flourished has been spectacular and it probably makes Arsenal rue their missed opportunity.

- David Ornstein on Alexander Isak

“The way he has developed and flourished has been spectacular and it probably makes Arsenal rue their missed opportunity.

“There’s no doubt that he’s the player Mikel Arteta has at the top of his list if he were to sign a striker. He’s seen as perfect for Arsenal’s system.

“Newcastle fans will hate hearing that. He’s under contract for a few years yet. He’s their key player, he’s at the centre of what they’re doing and they’ve got no intention of seeing him going anywhere. They want him to sign a new contract.”

One chance for Gunners

Ornstein did offer one sliver of hope to Arsenal in this transfer saga but counselled against signing him even if he is available.

“If Newcastle don’t qualify for the Champions League, maybe there’s a consideration,” he said before warning: “The price will be phenomenally high. Really clubs like Arsenal should be looking for the next Alexander Isak and not Alexander Isak if he were to come on the market. We don’t even know if he’d want to go there.

“It’s more realistic that Arsenal look at other targets, such as a Benjamin Sesko or whoever else is on the market.”

Isak helped Newcastle defeat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with the Magpies reaching the final courtesy of a 2-0 victory that saw them claim the tie 4-0 on aggregate.