‘Unlikely’ that Gunners will target Isak

FORMER Arsenal legend Alan Smith feels that while Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad amid reported transfer interest from the Gunners, he would be “surprised” if the Magpies decided to sell the Swede in the summer.

The striker has stood out for United this season, scoring

23 goals in just 36 appearances in all competitions – with 19 in the Premier League alone. His form, plus the potential of Newcastle having to sell in order to fund their summer transfer budget, has put clubs on red alert, with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool linked with the 24-year-old.

Eddie Howe is keen to keep his prize asset on Tyneside, while the player himself is happy at

St James’ Park following his big-money move from Real Sociedad in August 2022.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a striker this summer and while Smith, who scored 115 goals in

351 appearances for the Gunners, believes he would be a good fit, he doesn’t think his old club would have the funds to tempt Newcastle into selling.

“Alexander Isak is an outstanding player and I’ve been very impressed with him this season,” he told Crypto Casino.

“His finishing is top-notch and he’s of a style that would definitely complement what Arsenal have already. He wouldn’t look out of place technically at the Emirates and he’s now a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, which is always an important trait to possess as a forward – so he’d certainly be a great signing for Arsenal this summer.

“However, he cost Newcastle around £60m, so he’d cost Arsenal a lot more – so I question whether Arsenal have got the funds and whether Newcastle want to sell him. Whether Newcastle have to for Financial Fair Play reasons is a different question, so we’ll see what happens, but I’d be surprised if Newcastle allow him to go to what is essentially a title rival if they want to keep pushing forward and stay on an upwards trajectory.”

Isak has scored in his last seven St James’ Park appearances and will look to make that eight when Brighton head to the North East next month. He still has four games in which to overtake Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League goalscorer charts, with the Manchester City forward leading the way on 21 goals.

Isak is in third place, one behind Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (20) and level with Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

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