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Ian Wright fears Alexander Isak will snub Arsenal this summer in favour of a move to another Premier League club.
The Newcastle United and Sweden striker is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s dream transfer signing for an Arsenal team that are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
Arsenal looked short up top even before Arteta lost Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to season-ending injuries, with the decision not to sign a new striker in January looking more questionable by the day.
The Gunners expressed interest in signing Isak during the January transfer window but were put off by Newcastle’s valuation which stands in excess of £120m.
Arsenal may change their stance and go all in for Isak this summer, however, with the team set to miss out on the title for the third year in a row.
Isak’s form at St James’ Park – he has scored 19 goals in 24 Premier League games this season – has led to interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe and Arsenal will likely face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and potentially even Liverpool.
Liverpool are on course for a 20th league title despite playing this season mainly without a recognised striker, something Arne Slot may look to address in the summer.
Anfield legend Jamie Carragher has suggested Liverpool could enter the race for Isak and Wright fears the 25-year-old striker would favour a move to Merseyside over joining Arsenal.
‘With what Alexander Isak has done and who he is, I would buy him for £120m, no danger,’ Wright said on The Overlap with Sky Bet.
‘If we could get him, you need to chase that. I would be devastated if Arsenal weren’t in for him.’
Asked if he believes Isak would rather join Arsenal or Liverpool, Wright added: ‘He would probably go to Liverpool.
‘I’d like to think Mikel Arteta could convince him but look at Liverpool and Arne Slot. Slot hasn’t even got his own players in yet.
‘That seems like a move attractive proposition but again, Arsenal will need to do the work.
‘I would hate it if it was between Arsenal and Liverpool because he would probably go for Liverpool with the way it’s gone for Arne Slot.’
Carragher, meanwhile, does not expect Newcastle’s price-tag to stand in Liverpool’s way of signing Isak but admits the striker could end up staying put.
‘Arsenal and Liverpool will both be in the market for a new striker,’ he said. ‘I know this will upset Newcastle fans but do you think it’s realistic that another Premier League club could sign Isak?
‘Would anyone be willing to go to £120-130m. He’s got three years on his contract so he’s not going to go for nothing anytime soon.
‘I don’t think Liverpool would be too worried about paying that. They made a £110m bid for [Moises] Caicedo before he went to Chelsea. You’re going to get four or five seasons out of Isak.’
Newcastle’s hopes of keeping hold of Isak would be boosted if they managed to qualify for the Champions League, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League.
As well as securing a place in Europe’s top competition, Isak will also hope to fire Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory ahead of a final against Liverpool in March.
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