Arsenal have put in significant work identifying summer transfer targets other than Alexander Isak, according to the latest reports.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Gunners remain keen on signing the Newcastle United striker this summer, though the Magpies do not want to sell their main source of goals. Isak's performances have caught the eye this season, with Barcelona and Liverpool also joining Mikel Arteta's side in the list of clubs interested in his signature.
Although warning every player has their price, Ornstein claims Arsenal have a clear alternative in mind this summer, as they look to bolster their striker options. However, Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike is reportedly not a player the Gunners are considering.
When asked which attacker Liverpool were keen on this summer, Ornstein said: "They will obviously have multiple options on their radar, but the only name I’ve personally heard of so far — which others have already reported — is Alexander Isak.
"Liverpool aren’t alone in liking the Swede. We know Mikel Arteta wants to sign him, Chelsea and Barcelona have also been linked, and I’m sure many other sides would be keen, too, if the opportunity arose.
"But that’s a big ‘if’. Newcastle have no intention of selling their best player and, understandably, don’t welcome this kind of conversation. Isak has more than three years left on his existing contract, he is very well paid, and there’s no financial requirement for the St James’ Park hierarchy to cash in.
"Now, every player has their price and while I’m not aware of Newcastle specifically setting one for Isak, the number that seems to circulate around the industry is something like £150million.
"Perhaps if teams are prepared to make such eye-watering offers there’s a conversation to be had, but Newcastle hold the aces here and their plan will be to build with, rather than without, him.
"Liverpool are only going to consider making a move if Isak is genuinely available; they’re not the type of club to engage in a wild goose chase. But I do think (sorry to say this, Newcastle fans) his future will be one of the big talking points heading into and during the summer transfer window.
"Arsenal will have done a significant amount of work on many options and, to my knowledge, none more so than [Benjamin] Sesko. That doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to sign him because, as you mention, there is the Isak interest and they are not the only club pursuing Sesko.
"Personally, I haven’t heard of Hugo Ekitike or any other candidates being as high in the thinking as those two at this stage, but that can always change, of course."
There is already an agreed fee for which Sekso can move this summer - with a €70m (£57.9m) release clause written into his contract at RB Leipzig. The latest reports from Germany claim the release clause can be activated this summer, and runs until the end of his deal.
Despite missing out on the player in the summer, football.london understands that the Gunners have continued to monitor Sesko and they remain interested in securing his signature.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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