Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Real Sociedad sensation Alexander Isak.
The Gunners are set to lose Alexandre Lacazette on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season. The north London club have already started scouring the market for Lacazette’s potential replacements, with the 30-year-old Frenchman free to negotiate with non-English clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement from January onwards.
As a result, The Independent claims that Arsenal have been eyeing Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak as a potential replacement for Lacazette. And the Sweden international has provided a big boost to Mikel Arteta’s side by revealing his desire to play in the Premier League in the future.
“I’m in a good place at the moment, I’m very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well,” he told The Independent.
“They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it’s 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.”
Since arriving at Real Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, Isak, 22, has slowly established himself as one of La Liga’s top young strikers. He has bagged 38 goals and six assists in 101 appearances for Real Sociedad to date, including five goals and an assist in 13 outings across all competitions this term.
Alexander Isak to Arsenal—A smart long-term investment?
It is highly unlikely to see Arsenal cash in on Lacazette during the January transfer window, given the fact of the matter that this would leave Mikel Arteta with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only experienced option at the top end of the pitch. Thus, any plans of signing a centre-forward will have to wait until the summer transfer window.
Alexander Isak has caught the attention of Arsenal with his goal-scoring exploits at Real Sociedad. Fast, strong and athletic, the 22-year-old is a potent finisher in front of goal, can link up well in the final third and chip in with valuable assists.
The Swede is the archetypal modern-day striker with great technical skills, smart movement and an admirable off the ball work rate. At 22, he is still young and improving, and could add a lot more goals to his tally playing around talented players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard at Arsenal.
Alexander Isak would be a top replacement for Lacazette whilst honing his skills under an expert poacher in Aubameyang at the Emirates Stadium is likely to appeal to the player. With time and experience, the lanky Swede will only get better and Arsenal should do everything they can to sign the Real Sociedad star.