Mikel Arteta will be intrigued by what Alexander Isak has just done amid Arsenal and Liverpool transfer links

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Arsenal have long been admirers of Alexander Isak, who is now available on the market after informing Newcastle United that he would like to leave.

Isak has been touted as Mikel Arteta’s dream signing for some time, but the Gunners always felt a deal for the Swedish striker was unlikely to materialise.

Instead, Arsenal moved to sign Viktor Gyokeres for £63 million this summer, essentially ruling out a deal for Newcastle’s talisman.

Meanwhile, Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike after being dismissed by the Magpies over Isak, although the Merseysiders could now still land the prolific 25-year-old after the player’s latest antics.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Alexander Isak has started training with Real Sociedad amid transfer rumours

Isak expressing his desire to leave Newcastle after Arsenal and Liverpool acquired alternative strikers has certainly thrown a spanner in the works.

For both clubs, the former Borussia Dortmund man would’ve been the ideal striker signing, but both have put their eggs in a different basket.

That said, Liverpool are still said to be interested in Isak, while the player is keen on a switch to Anfield.

While Arsenal are happy with the addition of Gyokeres, they’ll surely be ruing a missed opportunity if Isak ends up moving to the north-west club.

However, what Isak has just done in an attempt to force through a transfer to Liverpool will certainly have spiked Arteta’s interest.

According to Ben Jacobs, the Sweden international has just started individual training at his former club Real Sociedad.

Isak hasn’t gone on Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia, likely because of the speculation surrounding his future, and has decided to train away from Eddie Howe’s group, so that he remains in good shape ahead of the new campaign.

Arteta, a San Sebastian native himself, has long-standing relations with Sociedad, while Arsenal also have a healthy connection with the Basque outfit.

The Gunners have acquired the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino from Sociedad in recent years, while Nacho Monreal and Kieran Tierney have gone the other way.

It remains to be seen whether this has any bearing on the Isak saga, although Arteta certainly would’ve been alerted to the prospect of engaging with the star after this ploy.

Arsenal should move for Alexander Isak next summer

Isak would undoubtedly be a transformative signing for Arsenal.

However, having just added Gyokeres to their ranks, it wouldn’t be sensible to splash an outlandish sum on the player right now.

With Newcastle adamant they won’t sell for anything less than a ludicrous fee, it’s very possible that Isak ends up signing a new deal at St. James’ Park, which includes a more reasonable release clause.

There should be more of a market for the player in 12 months’ time, and Arsenal should be in the race to land him.

If Gyokeres doesn’t produce exceptional numbers and Kai Havertz fails to deliver behind the ex-Sporting man, then the addition of Isak will become a necessary purchase for the Gunners.