Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is the striker that Arsenal “would seriously consider” buying in an “ideal world”, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.

The 25-year-old is a player that the Gunners pursued even before he moved to St James’ Park in 2022 but Ornstein says the sheer cost of signing him now, combined with his injury record, make it a difficult deal to pull off:

“Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of his and I think in an ideal world if they had their pick of strikers and money wasn’t a factor I do think Arsenal would seriously consider going for him.

“But finances are an issue and he’s going to cost a hell of a lot of money and he has spent a lot of time out injured.”

Isak is in good form for Newcastle

The Swedish international has hit the back of the net 7 times in 14 league appearances this season, with 6 of those goals coming in his last 8 games.

Another positive is that Isak has managed to stay fit, for the most part, since the campaign began back in August, with the player only missing three matches due to a toe injury.

What are the chances of Arsenal signing the forward?

The odds are low on the Gunners making a move during the January transfer window but it could be something that is revisited next summer.

Talks between Isak and Newcastle over a new contract have stalled and, while he will still have three years remaining on his current deal at the end of the season, the Magpies may be open to selling for the right price.

The big question is, how much will they want for the striker? Based on Ornstein’s remarks, it appears they will demand a massive sum of money, likely above the club-record fee that Arsenal paid for Declan Rice. With Chelsea and Liverpool having also been credited with an interest in the player, securing his services could be a tall order.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here