Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be forced to ditch a move for one of his top targets (Image: Getty)
could be forced to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a new centre-forward with slapping an eye-watering £150million price tag on Alexander Isak this winter. Arteta is a strong admirer of the Magpies striker but it seems extremely unlikely that a deal will be completed during the January transfer window.
Isak has been in sensational form for in recent weeks. The 25-year-old has scored seven goals in his last five matches, including an excellent hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Ipswich.
Wide-ranging reports have claimed that Isak is Arteta’s No. 1 choice for the striker role at . The Spaniard needs someone to rival the goals of ’s and ’s if he is to finally end the club’s wait for a title.
However, a January move seems incredibly unlikely with desperate to keep Isak. According to the , the Tyneside outfit will demand a whopping £150m from anyone who enquires about the Sweden international.
’s strikers have routinely failed to meet the scoring precedents set by Haaland and Salah over the past few seasons. has been used as a centre-forward despite spending much of his career in a deeper role.
Gabriel Jesus was signed from for £45m in 2022 but has struggled for regular goals. Five of the Brazilian’s six strikes this season came in consecutive cup and matches against Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, are wanting even more from Isak as he helps Eddie Howe turn around the club’s campaign. The Magpies have climbed to fifth after winning their last three matches.
“My biggest thing with Alex is I am evaluating his game on a daily and weekly basis and I just want to try to push him for more,” Howe said.
Alexander Isak is reportedly Arsenal’s top striker target (Image: Getty)
“Everyone else can say where he is in the pecking order of world football. His game is in a good place at the moment.
“My job is to not sit back and appreciate that, my job is to try and find areas he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him. He has all the ingredients in there. Football never stops evolving and changing and he has to evolve with it.
“There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that. Of course the main responsibility is for Alex to keep his focus, ignore the plaudits and keep helping the team, not be selfish. It is about and he plays his part.”