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Published January 10, 2025 10:50am Updated January 10, 2025 10:50am
Arsenal are unlikely to be able to afford the record-breaking fee required to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, according to reports.
The Sweden international has been coveted by the Gunners in the past with interest dating back to his time at Real Sociedad.
Isak is now considered among Europe’s elite centre forwards and continued his remarkable purple patch with the opening goal against the Gunners in his side’s Carabao Cup win at the Emirates earlier in the week.
The 25-year-old has scored in his last seven successive Premier League games and has once again emerged as a target for Arsenal who have endured mix fortunes in front of goal this season.
Kai Havertz started the campaign in impressive form while Gabriel Jesus’ output has increased over recent weeks but there is still a long-held belief that Mikel Arteta’s side are in need a reliable striker to spearhead their title efforts.
However, according to the Daily Mail, any efforts from Arsenal to prise Isak away from St James’ Park – either in January or in the summer – appear increasingly unlikely.
Newcastle are steadfast that Isak will not leave the club, but a fee of more than £115million, which would break the British transfer record, would almost certainly test their resolve.
However, the report indicates that Arsenal’s owner Stan Kroenke is extremely unlikely to sanction a move of that magnitude despite having spent over £100m to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates in July 2023.
This month, Arsenal are unlikely to spend big but are said to be considering signing a ‘stop-gap’ solution to the the problem created by Bukayo Saka’s absence.
Saka has been Arsenal’s main creative outlet this season but faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines having undergone hamstring surgery.
The Gunners will also consider letting some fringe players go this month as they look to raise money to fund future incomings.
Kieran Tierney has been deemed surplus to requirements and could make a January move back to his former club Celtic, while the club have also set their asking price for backup defender Jakub Kiwior.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is another who could attract interest this month, with Inter Milan thought to be preparing a bid for the Ukrainian international.
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