Arsenal have stunning €70m Alexander Isak bid rejected

Regardless of how well one prepares themselves, the madness that is transfer deadline day always catches you by surprise. Whether it’s to do with Arsenal or not, a twist in the tale is always on the cards.

For Gunners fans it’s all about the striker this window. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will join Barcelona on loan until the end of the season, leaving Mikel Arteta with two centre-forwards out of contract in the summer who have a combined three Premier League goals this term.

With Dusan Vlahovic being a move that failed to materialise despite the best efforts of all in north London, turning attentions towards the other big name on the list, Alexander Isak.

Well known is that the Swedish striker has a eye-watering €90m release clause in his contract. Having only penned a new deal with Real Sociedad in July 2021, the figure becomes even less likely to be open for negotiation.

Arsenal see stunning €70m Alexander Isak bid rejected by Real Sociedad who hold out for full €90m release clause

It appears Arsenal have tried, though.

As per Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal submitted a bid of €70m (£58m) on the eve of deadline day, one that Real Sociedad duly turned down. They have made it abundantly clear that they will only accept the full release clause in order to sell Isak. Given they are in the hunt for a Champions place via La Liga this season that’s hardly much of a surprise.

Isak sparked mass delirium when he was pictured in London over the weekend, with some fans going as far to check his car registration plate to decipher whether this was a sign of him arriving. It turns out that millionaires can holiday in a major capital without it needing to mean anything.

The report adds that Arteta is hugely keen on the 22-year-old, and as is well known and repeated by the outlet, Arsenal have the money if they need it.

How certain it is that they actually did submit an offer is another matter. This wasn’t picked up anywhere yesterday, nor has it been followed up from any UK sources, so a large helping of salt is needed alongside this.

One has to think, as well, that if Arsenal were to move on to their number two target after Vlahovic that they wouldn’t leave it this late. While it’s something they’ve done in the past, the release clause is the release clause and in every which way the sooner the better for Arsenal to get this deal wrapped up.

Waiting until the 11th hour makes little sense.