Arsenal want to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in the summer and news coming out of the St James Park club could hand the Gunners a huge boost ahead of the next transfer window.
The Magpies want to hold on to the Sweden international and talks over a new contract will be revisited in the coming months, but sporting director Paul Mitchell is putting a contingency plan in place if they need to move on from the 25-year-old in the summer.
Newcastle are preparing for the possibility of losing the Arsenal target and have identified Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Lille forward Jonathan David as potential targets, according to the Daily Mail.
It is good news for the Gunners as the Magpies know keeping Isak beyond this campaign is far from guaranteed, especially if they miss out on Champions League football for next season.
The Newcastle star wants to be playing in the elite European competition regularly, and Arsenal will be offering him that opportunity and the chance to win the Premier League.
The North London club have established themselves as regular challengers for the English top-flight title in recent seasons, and Isak could be the only missing piece needed to complete the puzzle.
He has 19 goals and five assists in 24 Premier League games so far this term after ending last term with 21 league goals, and signing him could make all the difference for Arsenal in subsequent title races.
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However, the Gunners are not the only club keen on recruiting the services of the former Real Sociedad star, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona interested too, and it could be very tricky for them to pip competition to his signature.
Getting him in January was impossible, but it is clear that a summer deal can get done as Newcastle scouting chief Steve Nickson is running the rule on possible replacements for Isak, and Arsenal must be ready to break the bank to recruit him if they are serious about winning major trophies anytime soon.
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