Arsenal are expected to continue their search for a prolific striker this January. However, their hopes of signing in-demand Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak have been dealt a massive blow.
According to Mail Sport reporter Craig Hope, the Gunners are unlikely to match the British-record fee it would take to tempt Newcastle into a mid-season sale.
Mikel Arteta is a keen admirer of the 25-year-old Swedish striker, but Arsenal are more focused on balancing their books and are prioritising outgoing transfers.
Hope has revealed that club owner Stan Kroenke is extremely hesitant to sanction such a significant outlay this January, which is a huge blow to their Premier League title aspirations.
Over the past couple of seasons, there’s been a general belief that Arsenal are a prolific striker away from finally ending their Premier League title drought.
A number of centre-forwards have since been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Isak has risen to the top of their wishlist thanks to his outstanding performances for Newcastle.
The ‘fantastic‘ Sweden international is widely regarded as the best striker in the Premier League at the moment.
He has scored 15 goals in 22 games across all competitions this season.
His 13 Premier League goal tally is only bettered Mohamed Salah (18) and Erling Braut Haaland (16), placing him on the radar of the league’s elite.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of Isak’s quality, but a January move has been ruled out, sending them back to the drawing board in their bid to sign a prolific striker.
Arsenal’s current squad dynamics and wage considerations were key to this decision.
The club is expected to offload several players in the coming months, with Gabriel Jesus potentially leaving at the end of the season and Oleksandr Zinchenko attracting interest for a January move.
Thomas Partey’s £150,000-a-week contract will also expire in June, which could lift some of the burden off the club’s wage bill.
Arsenal are comfortably operating within Profit and Sustainability Rules, but they’re cautious about maintaining compliance.
For now, their move for Isak will have to be pushed back until next summer unless there’s a big-money exit that reshapes the club’s budget.
Stats from Sofascore.com
