Arsenal dealt major Alexander Isak blow: ‘Cannot happen’
Arsenal have been interested in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak for some time, but it seems as if the deal may have hit a stumbling block.
The Gunners are desperate to sign a striker in the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta was forced to utilise Mikel Merino at centre forward last season, after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Merino performed relatively well in an unnatural position, but his deficiencies were highlighted as Arsenal were beaten by PSG in the Champions League semi-finals.
The North London side also missed out in the Premier League, ending the campaign 10 points behind Liverpool, who cruised to the title with four games still remaining.
Isak to Arsenal looks unlikely
Arsenal’s number one target this summer was Isak, as the Gunners attempt to fill the centre forward-shaped hole in their squad.
The Sweden international has hit over 20 Premier League goals in each of his past two seasons for Newcastle, finishing as the league’s second top scorer in the 2024/25 campaign.
| Positon | Name | Goals | Assists |
| 1 | Mo Salah | 29 | 18 |
| 2 | Alexander Isak | 23 | 6 |
| 3 | Erling Haaland | 22 | 3 |
However, BBC Sport (2 June) Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel has reported that it is safe to concede that Isak won’t be making his way to the Emirates.
Mokbel added that the club will instead be choosing between RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal set for big striker decision
What last season proved was that in order to make a proper challenge for the title, the Gunners need a proven goalscorer at their disposal.
In games where they dominated possession, they were able to ease through without a recognised number nine, but in tight contests, they had nobody to conjure up a goal out of nothing.
Arsenal have strong interest in Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, who scored 39 goals in 33 league games for the Portuguse side in 2024/25.
The Gunners are also in advanced talks with Sesko, who they tried and failed to bring in last summer.
It is likely that the North London side will wait until the framework of both deals is completed before making a final decision on who to bring in.