Arsenal’s interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak could intensify with the possible arrival of Roberto Olabe as the Gunners’ new sporting director, according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail.
The Spaniard staffer, who is set to leave Real Sociedad at the end of the season, has reportedly been in talks to replace Edu in Arsenal’s top executive role.
Olabe’s connection to Isak runs deep, as he played a pivotal role in signing the Swedish striker from Borussia Dortmund for just £8 million in 2019 and later orchestrated his £63 million transfer to Newcastle in 2022, as detailed by Hope.
Arsenal’s admiration for Isak is no secret, with Hope revealing that the forward sits near the top of their list of targets for next summer and with an interest that has popped up endless times since he arrived in Tyneside with the Gunners failing to sign him back then.
The potential appointment of Olabe would only strengthen the London club’s case, given his prior working relationship with Isak.
While Newcastle had been rumored to be in contract negotiations with Isak earlier this year, those talks were shelved during the summer, as Hope reported in another update earlier this season.
Hope said then that Newcastle’s hierarchy decided against offering the striker a pay rise, citing financial constraints and the fact that Isak’s current deal still has four years remaining—something they had no problem in offering the likes of Bruno and Anthony Gordon, however.
Eddie Howe has made it clear that the focus is on Isak continuing to deliver on the pitch, and Hope reports that no sale is expected to go through mid-season when it comes to top-tier players the likes of Isak, Bruno, or Gordon.
The allure of working with Olabe at Arsenal starting next season, however, could be the final blow to Newcastle and their chances at retaining the best in-form striker in the Premier League for the long run.