The summer transfer window is hotting up and for Arsenal and Chelsea, their focus is firmly on additions, particularly Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Isak was one of Eddie Howe’s star players last season bagging 25 goals in 40 appearances. The former Real Sociedad forward impressed mainly in the Premier League where he scored 21 in just 30 matches.
His strength, speed and eye for goal made him a standout star in the division and unsurprisingly this has caught the eye of Arsenal and Chelsea. Both clubs are looking to add centre-forwards to their attacks this summer and Isak would be a brilliant addition.
Why Isak is on Arsenal’s radar
Mikel Arteta drew together a list of potential targets at the beginning of the summer transfer window to be the club’s striker next season. Isak was a name mentioned due to his profile.
While Kai Havertz did no wrong last season, it is thought the Gunners want an out-and-out striker to give them a cutting edge in attack. Other names on that list included RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko who has since signed a new deal in Germany and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Chelsea’s sudden interest
On Wednesday, Chelsea suddenly entered the race to sign Isak after pulling out of a move for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise. The Daily Mail reported that the Blues enquired about the striker but discovered they would need to break their transfer record to get him.
Newcastle are understood to want more than the £115m Chelsea spent last summer for Moises Caicedo. What’s more, the Magpies are not thought to be in any rush to offload Isak and even a bid that big may not be accepted.
Why might Newcastle sell Isak?
The Magpies may have a hardline stance on keeping Isak but Financial Fair Play (FFP) worries may force their hand. A report from The Athletic suggests Newcastle are in a mad scramble to offload players ahead of Sunday, June 30’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) deadline.
Sunday is the last day for clubs to complete sales to ensure they conform to the regulations regarding spending. Failure to pass PSR could result in a hefty points deduction similar to which Everton and Nottingham Forest faced in the last campaign.
While Isak is not mentioned as a player they are looking to sell, Newcastle could theoretically be forced to do that if it is their only means to stay inside the regulations.
What Isak has said about exit
After such a good season at St James’ Park, it is unsurprising to hear that Isak is in no rush to leave the North East. Speaking in April, he told reporters: “Yeah, of course I want to be here in the future.
“I came here for the project, I absolutely love playing here, I really feel at home. I want to finish this season in a good way for me and the team. I love playing here.
“I don’t want to entertain these type of questions [about my future] and rumours. It’s not my position.
“I love playing, we have important games, there’s no focus there (on my future), I just want to do good for the team.” In a press conference a few days earlier, Howe was asked about the possibility of selling players to comply with FFP regulations.
He responded: “I think you have to try and keep your best players. Whether you’re able to do that continually with the rules that are in place at the moment, that’s always unsure. I’m not in control of that.
“But from my perspective, to be the team that we want to be, we have to try and keep our best players and keep improving the other way.”
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