Arsenal make contact over €80m striker transfer

The season still has plenty left to go but that hasn’t stopped Arsenal fans from looking toward what may come in the summer when the transfer window opens.

Focus on the present first, right? Try telling that to the endless spew of speculation making its way out of the rumour mill, much of which centres around the Gunners’ pursuit of a new striker.

Over the January transfer window that was the major talking point. Everything built up towards this big deadline day climax, one where Alexander Isak was due to follow in Thomas Partey’s footsteps and fly from Spain to London on deadline day ready to sign on the dotted line.

He didn’t.

Arsenal make contact over €80m striker Alexander Isak with Barcelona also eyeing summer transfer if Erling Haaland move fails

Arsenal opted against a signing that wasn’t on their list, both in midfield as well as at centre-forward, instead placing their trust in Alexandre Lacazette. He may have had a vital intervention in the 2-1 win over Wolves, but it doesn’t mask over a frustrating performance riddled with poor decision making.

Further down the line, that part of the squad will be revisited. As per Sport, Arsenal have already started laying down the groundwork with Isak after being in contact with his club over his proposed transfer fee.

Currently boasting an €80m release clause, it was revealed earlier in February that Arsenal were put off the Swedish striker on account of the fee, one they, rightly, deemed to be above market value. But all release clauses aren’t final, with negotiations available, and the Gunners have seen about lowering the amount.

Real Sociedad, however, are ‘adamant’ that it will be met. What may work in Arsenal’s favour is that the 22-year-old is having a poor season in front of goal, which could prompt the Spanish side to reduce their demands. He has netted just four goals in 20 La Liga matches, and eight in 28 matches overall.

But then again, why would Arsenal want a striker not scoring goals? They already have one of those. Two, to be exact.

Isak is not having a prolific season. Whatsoever. But he remains an incredible talent with outstanding ability and traits that could suit Arsenal. Well, to throw another spanner in the works, his preference is to move to Barcelona in the summer, with La Blaugrana seeing him as a Plan B in case they fail to land Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. Xavi’s side are also his preference. A bummer if so.

Negotiations are said to continue rumbling on – much of the report feels speculative, of course – with Arteta still a huge fan of the Swede.

If they won’t lower their fee (which they probably will), then it’s all irrelevant anyway. €80m is obscene money.