Alexander Isak to Arsenal transfer latest as January move now depends on one crucial factor

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Arsenal hold an interest in signing Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

Mikel Arteta will be eager to bolster his attacking contingent in the upcoming January transfer window. 

The Gunners have struggled for goals at times this season. Kai Havertz is not the most prolific of forwards, and Gabriel Jesus has been in woeful scoring form for some time.

Arsenal have been told to sign a striker, and that ought to be the North London club’s top priority heading into the winter window. Without a clinical option to lead the line, it is hard to see how the Gunners will fire themselves to a Premier League title. 

• READ MORE: Who is Edu Gaspar? Everything you need to know about the ex-Arsenal player turned director

Arsenal move for Alexander Isak hinges on Edu Gaspar replacement

One candidate Arsenal are considering to add to their pool of strikers is Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. 

However, Arsenal will face competition from Chelsea for Isak, and the Magpies won’t let him leave St James’ Park cheaply either. An offer of at least £115 million is thought to be required to even get negotiations underway. 

On top of that, financial ramifications are not the only challenge that Arsenal will face when it comes to getting a deal for the Sweden international done.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, reporting on X: “Much will depend on who succeeds Edu,” when it comes to deciding if Arsenal will be able to sign Isak.

Who will replace Edu at Arsenal?

Edu Gaspar’s recent resignation as the Arsenal sporting director will certainly have impacted the club’s plans for this winter market. 

The Brazilian would lead the Gunners’ negotiations and was responsible for getting deals done. Arteta is spearheading the search for Edu’s replacement, with PSG’s Luis Campos his top target, but until a new sporting director arrives at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal may find that they are slightly hamstrung in the transfer market.

It is clear that the Gunners are keen to tailor their transfer moves to an over-arching, long-term vision and strategy. The new sporting director, along with Arteta, will have a key role in defining what this vision and strategy looks like.

Therefore, it is understandable that the club are reluctant to invest so heavily in a player until this key role is filled. However, the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes this season likely depend upon their ability to improve the squad in January. 

Arsenal now face a race against time to get Edu’s replacement installed in time to get their required winter business done.