Alexander Isak has been something of a dream transfer target for clubs well beyond just Arsenal and managers other than Mikel Arteta. Yet the Swedish international is and remains a player that the Spaniard would simply love to have, certainly someone of his goalscoring calibre.
Arteta has been outspoken on the need to invest this summer and on the plan that the club finalised and now plans to execute in the months ahead. Martin Zubimendi, a former teammate of Isak's at Real Sociedad, is expected to join the club, and a striker is thought to be the next priority position the Gunners will push for.
Isak has for some time seemed out of reach, with harsh pushback from the northeast at any suggestion their star man might leave. Yet as football.londonput the question to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe after his side’s 1-0 defeat to the Gunners as to whether he could guarantee that Isak would only be wearing black and white in north London when he plays he next season, he stopped short of putting the nerves of Magpies’ supporters to rest.
“I never make those guarantees about any player, and it’s not to do with Alex’s future, but I’d be foolish to sit here and do anything like that,” Howe replied.
“We want to keep our strongest players. I’ve said that ever since I’ve been here and sat in this seat.
“We have to try and keep our best players and bring in more good players to make us even stronger because the ambition of the club and everyone connected with the club is long-term success and that’s the only way to get that.”
It should be pointed out that few managers tend to guarantee anything in this sport because its fragility and the unpredictable nature that all involved have come to expect mean anything is possible. Hence, Howe made reference to being foolish to guarantee anything.
Yet despite that context, it is impossible not to see the door open ajar for Arsenal or any other potential suitor to try their luck at a move should they feel they have the financial muscle to do so. It would be fair to point out that any more would be easily rocketing above the triple-million-pound mark.
Isak missed the match with yet another injury issue, which in itself stood as a harsh reminder that even if a club pulled off what many feel is impossible and signed Isak, the investment does not come without its risks. Certainly, it would take up the bulk of a club like Arsenal’s budget and restrict moves for other players, and were he to then suffer an injury, it would be doubly damaging.