Major Alexander Isak to Arsenal transfer update amid ‘bargain’ striker option

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With the Premier League title beginning to look out of Arsenal’s grasp for this season, attention at the Emirates will start to turn towards the summer transfer window.

The Gunners sit six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and thus the chances of the club ending its 21-year wait for the elusive accolade appear slim.

Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2-0 in North London on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup, a result that gives Mikel Arteta’s side a mountain to climb in the semi-final second leg at St. James’ Park in February.

While the Champions League and FA Cup are still to play for, the club’s hierarchy will certainly be looking ahead to the summer and mapping out how to strengthen Arteta’s squad.

Offensive reinforcements will be needed, with the feeling around the Emirates being that a marquee addition in the forward line is required to take Arteta’s team to the promised land.

Arsenal cannot afford to sign Alexander Isak in the summer

While the Gunners have been linked with a number of high-profile strikers and wide men in January, one name is constantly on the lips of fans.

Arsenal have been told to sign Alexander Isak, with the Newcastle man’s blistering form prompting belief that he’s the answer to Arteta’s team’s goal-scoring issues.

The Swede has scored 15 goals across all competitions already this season, and he opened the scoring on Tuesday night at the Emirates.

Arteta is understood to be a huge admirer of Isak, but the Daily Mail reports that Arsenal won’t be able to stump up the fee that would tempt Newcastle into sanctioning a deal for their talisman.

It’s unknown exactly what sort of offer the Magpies would consider, although it’s thought that it would be in excess of the £115 million British-record fee paid by Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023.

While Arsenal aren’t said to be concerned about their standing in regard to complying with Profit and Sustainability Rules, they are conscious that they have to remain within them, which means they cannot afford to sign Isak in the summer.

The 25-year-old number nine is under contract at the north-east club until 2028, and thus there is little pressure on Newcastle to lower their demands.

Arsenal will likely be forced to look elsewhere in the market, for a more cost-effective solution to their final third failings.

• READ MORE: Arsenal must sign ‘monster’ striker instead of Alexander Isak – he’s available for just £63m

Arsenal should look to sign Matheus Cunha instead

With Isak out of Arsenal’s budget, the hunt to find an alternative should be well underway.

Mathues Cunha has been linked with Arsenal, and Arteta ought to consider the talented Brazilian.

Wolves are expected to agree to a new contract with Cunha, including a relegation break clause allowing him to leave Molineux for just £45 million if the East Midlanders fail to retain their top-flight status.

While perhaps not on Isak’s level, Cunha has still scored 24 goals in all competitions since the start of last season, and would represent a bargain at just £45 million.

If Wolves are to be relegated, the Gunners should look at the 25-year-old as a plausible and exciting potential addition.