Ollie Watkins signs, dream Alexander Isak deal – Arsenal’s perfect final transfer decided

Arsenal do not have endless sums of money to spend this summer. After spending more than £200million on three players last summer, the club are cutting their cloth accordingly to ernsure they remain compliant with Financial Fiar Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to get business done early, although as yet only David Raya – on loan last season – has become a permanent member of the squad, completing a £27million move from Brentford. Riccardo Calafiori has been heavily linked with a move, while there are plenty of rumours around the likes of Mikel Merino, Nico Williams and others.

That said, if the Gunners were to get a number of fringe players out of the door, with some of those linked with exits offering pure profit, there could be some deals to be done.

If Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and even Eddie Nketiah do leave, Arsenal could have an extra £90million or so in their coffers. Given the Calafiori deal has been in the making for some time, it would appear money is there for that deal to be done without relying on transfer exits.

So what if Arsenal were to spend any remaining budget on one superstar signing? Who would it be? football.london writers have their say.

Tom Canton

It would be pretty safe to assume that with the potential for sales of some sizeable financial assets in the squad this summer that there is scope for the Gunners to spend more than £100million. However, given the proposal to spend it all on one player and no others, there is just one choice.

Ironically, it comes with a level of hypocrisy because the priority for me this summer for Arsenal to strengthen is central midfield. However, given this scenario, heading to St James’ Park with a £100million-plus offer for Alexander Isak is something I simply could not pass up.

The Swedish striker is among the best centre-forwards not just in the league but the world. I see him stylistically suiting what Mikel Arteta likes and from the whispers around the business, it seems he is indeed a big fan of the former Real Sociedad striker.

The move would be a long-term investment in a Premier League-proven player that has already played with Martin Odegaard. It just seems like the perfect deal… the irony being there is a chance even all of Arsenal’s budget still might not be enough to convince the Magpies to sell.

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Sam Truelove

For me, this is very easy. Alexander Isak would be the dream signing for the Gunners this summer.

The Newcastle United man, capable of playing as a No.9 or on the left wing, is a class act and would add another string to Mikel Arteta’s already impressive bow. The 24-year-old really came into his own last season, scoring 21 goals in 30 Premier League appearances, and would improve even further if he were to make the move to Emirates Stadium.

Yes, the Sweden international is likely to cost quite a bit. And yes there may have to be exits in the forward line to make it work. But should Arsenal win the Premier League, Champions League or FA Cup next season with Isak in the side, there will not be many complaints.

Lee Wilmot

A striker is the top priority for Arsenal this summer and the good ones do not come cheap. See the prices for Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney – before he reached the final year of his Brentford contract.

But, if money is no object – because they’re spending all their available cash on one superstar signing – then a striker is the best place to put that money.

It appears Arsenal have no interest in either of the aforementioned names and I’m not convinced either would have been right for the Gunners anyway. One player that would be absolutely right for them is Ollie Watkins.

The Aston Villa star has been linked with Chelsea following his Euro 2024 heroics for England, but why would you leave a Champions League club for Conference League football? And he dreams of playing for Arsenal.

He scores goals and creates goals. What better option could there possibly be for splashing out £90million this summer?

Kaya Kaynak

I think Arsenal’s main priority in this window still has to be a forward. I know they have questions to answer in midfield where I think a player like Martin Zubimendi would be perfect – just look at how seamlessly he replaced Rodri in the Euros final!

Also they probably need another goalkeeper with Aaron Ramsdale likely to leave. But if you were to force me to pick just one position it would be that forward line. I don’t think the need for a nine is quite as pressing as it was six months ago because of how well Kai Havertz played there. Instead I think you need a more clinical all-rounder who can provide competition and build on Gabriel Martinelli after what was a poor season last time out for the Brazilian.

For me, Alexander Isak ticks all those boxes perfectly. He can play as a nine or out wide and isn’t such a big name that he would supersede the others and upset the balance of the squad. Plus he’s proved himself to be deadly in front of goal after nearly winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season. I think he’s the perfect deal for Arsenal, it’s just a shame that Newcastle got to him first!

Tom Coley

There are several places Arsenal could look to improve this season. One is a new centre-forward and the other is in midfield as a Declan Rice partner (or someone to unleash him into the marauding role pushing further on).

Nico Williams is the only outsider to this conversation. His transfer fee alone wouldn’t be as much as others but the total package definitely wouldn’t come cheap. Given the strength on the left and also versatility with Gabriel Jesus to feature on the right, he’s not as necessary as others, even if it would be mightily fun.

The player Arsenal would be fully justified going hell for leather towards is Isak. He’s just great. Seriously, seriously great.

Tall, good in the air, dribbler, creative passer, exceptional finisher, two-footed, Premier League proven, and with the right age profile for Arsenal. If there is a player out there worth £100-£150million for the Gunners then it’s Isak,

If they actually want him then it’d probably take all but the entirety of their budget as well. There aren’t too many areas that need addressing with new signings though, so why not go all in for this one.

Liam Wood

Buying a player based solely on their performances at a major international tournament is never a wise idea, but Williams was emerging as a global force even before his swashbuckling displays at Euro 2024 this summer. Not a striker as such – which Arsenal perhaps need as a priority – his would-be signing would provide them greater goal threat without the need to drop Kai Havertz from the main starting line-up.

Saka right, Williams left and Havertz through the middle is an enticing proposition on paper. The paperwork, as it were, would not come cheap for Williams even if Arsenal do manage to beat Barcelona to the punch. However, a top-level central attacker would cost even more, making his deal value for money even when taking his proposed wage packet into account – with a few £ signs added from his Euro 2024 heroics.