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Published February 11, 2025 11:40am Updated February 11, 2025 11:40am
Barcelona’s hierarchy are ‘in love’ with Alexander Isak and have identified the Newcastle sensation as their ‘main objective’ for the summer.
Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the most potent and sought-after goalscorers in world football over the last two seasons, netting 44 times in 68 appearances for the Magpies.
A whole host of Europe’s elite clubs are believed to be queueing up for Isak’s signature and the Swede’s future was the subject of intense speculation over the course of the January transfer window.
However, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was adamant throughout that Isak was not for sale and some reports indicated it would have taken an offer in excess of £150million to prise the forward away from St James’ Park.
Arsenal have long been linked with Isak but the striker’s eye-watering price tag meant he was never a realistic option this winter and the Gunners launched a late bid for Ollie Watkins instead – which was rejected out of hand by Aston Villa.
It remains to be seen if the north London giants will step up their interest inIsak at the end of the season but, if they do, they are likely to come up against fierce competition from Barcelona.
According to El Chiringuito reporter Jose Alvarez, Barca have already sounded out the Newcastle attacker and view him as their primary target for next season.
‘The club is starting to plan for the summer… there are several pending departures, let’s not rule out Ronald Araujo or Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski faces an uncertain future,’ Alvarez said on the popular Spanish TV programme.
‘There is a player that the Barcelona sporting management is in love with, that Joan Laporta is in love with. They believe that he will be the icing on the cake for the squad.
‘The main objective is Alexander Isak. Right now he is worth €75m (£62.5m) and negotiations have been held with Newcastle.
‘They have sounded out the player and the feeling is positive.’
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes suggested Isak should set his sights on a club ‘bigger and better’ than Arsenal.
‘Everyone loves him but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal. He needs to go bigger and better,’ the former United and England midfielder said.
‘We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I think Arsenal would be an option but I think they would be down the list of options.
‘I don’t mean that in a bad way but he’s at Newcastle, a really good team, a brilliant team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the next stage of his career.
‘I think it would be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the same thing. Liverpool have got a much better chance, Man City and Real Madrid the same.
‘I think his sights should be higher than Arsenal. He is a player Man United would be looking at but in the position we’re in now… it’s not going to happen.’
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