Arsenal leading transfer chase for Alexander Isak

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not played for Arsenal in six matches, a spell that is set to be extended with the former captain taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter.

The question then becomes not when he will return, but whether he will at all.

Left out of the squad once again in the recent defeat against Manchester City, Aubameyang was allowed to link up with Gabon ahead of the other African international players in the squad, plunging his future into further doubt.

In his stead Alexandre Lacazette has led the line superbly, contributing to some of the finest performances seen during Mikel Arteta’s reign. The Frenchman has taken on the captaincy role with professionalism, yet even his stint in the team will only be short-lived.

Arsenal leading transfer chase for Alexander Isak with Barcelona pulling out of potential deal due to Real Sociedad’s release clause of £75m

Rumours continue to circle over a potential contract extension, although any offer, one would like to imagine, won’t stretch beyond a single year. There shouldn’t be one at all, however; in Lacazette’s position, a longer term deal elsewhere with more assurances of minutes will surely be in his thinking.

The whole striker situation at Arsenal is a bit of a mess. The highest paid player has been stripped of the captaincy and, rightly, ostracised; the next two options down the line can both discuss pre-contract agreements with other clubs ahead of free transfers in the summer; and the fourth option isn’t ready for Premier League football yet and due to move to the Championship on loan.

Such a key segment of the squad rebuild is sourcing a new centre-forward. The way the team is developing and forging its identity, the addition of a No. 9 to bind all the other elements together, much in the way that Lacazette is currently doing but with a touch more quality and age on their side, can elevate Arsenal to a new level.

A flurry of names have been thrown about and one of them, Alexander Isak, has gone a bit cold having previously been mooted as a target for the club back in the summer.

Isak silenced transfer talk by penning a new contract with Real Sociedad back in July, one that runs until 2026 with a release clause improved on the one he had previously, which now stands at no less than £75m.

El Nacional, however, state that Arsenal remain fully willing to invest in the 22-year-old after Barcelona pulled out of any deal for financial reasons, and that there is no intention of strengthening a direct rival for the European places. It’s stated that Arsenal and Arteta ‘love’ Isak’s profile and are now leading the race for his signature.

What do we make of this, then?

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Alexander Isak’s Profile Suits Arsenal – But His Lack of Goals Might Not

Having pulled £55m out of thin air to sign Ferran Torres this winter, Barcelona do not have £75m lying around unless they can negotiate another dodgy loan despite being, y’know, £1bn in debt.

The money is a rather large obstacle. It’s clear Arsenal are willing to spend after the £150m outlay over the summer, but they have also worked hard to bring down their wage bill, something that could be helped further if Aubameyang can be moved on.

Still, £75m is an awfully large sum to pay for a 22-year-old.

As a profile, Isak is near enough perfect for what Arsenal want. He is the archetypal modern striker, capable of linking play from deeper or leading a high-line press, all of which is interwoven with incredible technical proficiency in tight spaces or with grass to run into.

Neat control and quick feet are valuable inside the box too, where he produces a high volume of high quality shots on goal. Isak can weave his way through challenges despite his taller frame, possesses decent pace, and finds the target often.

Arsenal would be quite content with a younger, faster version of Lacazette. If he scored more, that is. Like he used to, back at Lyon.

There are numerous components and traits Arsenal want in a striker but the bottom line is they also need someone who can find the back of the net more than most. Isak netted 17 goals in La Liga last term for a rate of one in two, yet this time around he’s only scored four times in 15 league outings, 13 of those being in the starting lineup.

But there is so much potential there. Real Sociedad aren’t having the best of seasons as they sit seventh in the table, and what Isak could produce in a team like Arsenal’s is what will convince. The money, however, is eye-watering.

Verdict: El Nacional is not the most reliable of sources, and their information may be solely based on Barcelona’s inability to cough up the money, therefore by default it’s Arsenal who are ‘leading the chase’.

While there is definite interest in Isak from Arsenal, as previously reported by The Athletic, at present the two main targets appear to be Jonathan David and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Isak, however, is a special talent. Maybe just a touch lightweight, but that can change.