Arsenal sent defiant summer transfer message as ‘remarkable’ Alexander Isak claim surfaces

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Arsenal are long-term admirers of Alexander Isak but, is the Newcastle United striker now out of reach?

Mikel Arteta wanted a striker in January however, his plea was ignored by Arsenal’s hierarchy, which has proved to be costly.

Signing Isak in January was never an option, with the talisman paramount to Newcastle’s dream of securing Champions League football. 

Still, it’s understood that Arsenal remain interested in Isak, who continues to show the world what he’s capable of. 

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Micah Richards makes Alexander Isak transfer claim

It came as no surprise to see the Sweden international make the headlines in the Carabao Cup final, as Isak did what Thierry Henry never did and scored in a cup final. 

The 25-year-old’s ability is becoming impossible to ignore, making Arsenal’s decision to snub Isak before he joined Newcastle all the more painful. 

Though Arteta remains an admirer of the centre-forward, the chances of signing him have now become even more difficult, as pundit Micah Richards referenced after the Carabao Cup final.

“The next step for Newcastle now is to tie down Isak. They cannot let Isak leave the football club because what he gives to this team is just remarkable,” Richards said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

The former Manchester City defender went on to explain why he now thinks Isak is world-class, referencing what the Swede did to Arsenal earlier this season. 

“We had that debate, is he world class and my opinion on it was that I do believe he’s at that level, but you’ve got to prove it over a long period of time.

“He’s proven [it]. What he did to Arsenal, home and away, exceptional. Today against Van Dijk and Konate, I just think he’s got all the big decisions right.”

Arteta applauded Isak after the forward’s potent performance against Arsenal over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final, with eyes firmly on the striker in the summer. 

Arsenal must break the bank to sign Isak

Arsenal need a striker and Isak is performing but, things aren’t that easy.

Despite incoming sporting director Andrea Berta’s success when signing strikers, the Gunners could already consider the Newcastle marksman to be out of reach. 

Isak has a £150m price tag ahead of the summer, a price that’s only expected to rise if he continues to add to his tally this season.

While the 25-year-old’s campaign has been remarkable, Arsenal’s has been lacklustre, with the 2024/25 calendar defined by the Gunners’ poor recruitment.

All eyes are on what Newcastle do to keep their star player in the North East beyond the summer, something Arsenal will surely be studying.