Arsenal have toiled hard but failed to sign new players in the transfer window. As we approach the end of the transfer window, the rumours only seem to be getting hotter. Arsenal target Alexander Isak was recently spotted in London.
The Swedish international has been linked with a move away from Real Sociedad in the past. The Gunners have been named as interested candidates and stepped up efforts to sign the 22-year-old after a failed pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic.
The 22-year-old striker signed a contract extension with Real Sociedad in 2019. The deal fixed a release clause of £76m and bound the striker to the Basque club until 2024. He has 4 league goals and 3 Europa goals to his name this season.
In the past, Isak has hinted that he would like to play in England. In an interview with The Independent, the frontman said:
“I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well. They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative. Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level. I have expectations for myself that I’m trying to fulfil, so we’ll see where the journey takes me in future.”
Alexander Isak has also revealed Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to be his idol. Alongside Dejan Kulusevski in an interview with Min Stora Dag, the youngster noted:
“I have a lot of football players who I have looked up to & have taken a lot from, but if I have to name one, I would say Thierry Henry, who I have really liked all the time & where I see many qualities that I have tried to follow.”
Gooners all over the world would have anticipated some positive news after the 22-year-old was spotted in London on 29th, along with Real Sociedad teammate and former Manchester United winger Adan Januzaj. This came days after renowned reporter Fabrizio Romano acknowledged Arsenal’s interest in the ex-Dortmund man. Romano said:
“They love him, they literally love him. He’s at the same level of Vlahovic in terms of appreciation for Arsenal, but it will be difficult to sign this player in January as Sociedad are keen to keep this player until the end of the season.”
Nevertheless, it seems most likely that Isak was in London to visit Martin Odegaard. They shared a dressing room at Real Sociedad in the 2019-20 season. Both players flourished that year, and it seems their chemistry translated off the field too. Odegaard, a mainstay in Arteta’s system, revealed that the Scandinavian duo were “best friends”.
Read More:
- Biggest Exit of the January Transfer Window | Arsenal Striker to Join Barcelona on a Free Transfer
- The Clearing Out Continues at Arsenal | Another Defender Departs to Join Fellow PL Club
- Premier League Club on the Verge of Signing Arsenal Contract Rebel; Should The Gunners Sell?
However, the Sun reported earlier today that the Swedish international has flown back to Spain. It turns out the Real Sociedad forward’s visit to England was merely a shopping trip. This has disappointed many Gunners’ fans, with some feeling they have been duped.
The Athletic reported that Arsenal are not close to actually making any signings in this window. Edu has missed out on Dejan Kulusevski, Bruno Guimaraes, Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo in the span of a month. But Alexander Isak could be a realistic target for Arsenal, with Aubameyang joining Barcelona on deadline day and Nketiah and Lacazette set to leave in the summer.
Stay tuned for more transfer updates on Arsenal.
