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£100m striker Arsenal want to sign admits he ‘absolutely’ loves playing for current team

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Alexander Isak has seemingly shot down any hope of Arsenal landing the Newcastle United striker this summer.

The £100m-rated Swedish international has been linked with a move to the north London side after a fantastic second season in the Premier League, with Isak hitting 16 goals this term in all competitions.

A player who was linked with Arsenal before moving to Newcastle, Isak looked like an ideal fit for the Gunners this summer with Mikel Arteta expected to spend big on a new leading striker.

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Yet speaking to iNews, Isak revealed his love for playing for Newcastle, with the forward making it clear that he intends to remain with the Magpies and to continue on with Eddie Howe’s project.

Indeed, a move to Arsenal would have been a fun one for Arteta and supporters, yet it now looks likely that Isak is one player who the north London side won’t be moving for this summer.

Isak said when asked if he wants to continue his career at Newcastle despite recent links to Arsenal: “Yeah, of course I want to be here in the future.

“I came here for the project, I absolutely love playing here, I really feel at home. I want to finish this season in a good way for me and the team. I love playing here.”

Alexander Isak could have become a monster under Mikel Arteta

Newcastle United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
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One of the final pieces Arteta is missing from his grand Arsenal masterplan is a truly talismanic striker, with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz failing to really meet the high expectations met by the Basque coach.

Which is why Isak would have been such an exciting signing for Arsenal, with the forward giving shades of Thierry Henry at Newcastle, kit number and all.

And north London could have been where Isak became a true monster in the Premier League, with Arsenal the ideal club for the Swedish international to take his game to the next level.