What Alexander Isak transfer bombshell means for Arsenal explained as £183m reality clear

The Premier League champions making a formal move for Alexander Isak would have perhaps been seen as the dream statement to Arsenal fans 12 months ago, but the reality is actually quite a nightmare.

Mikel Arteta is a long-term admirer of the Swede but as transfer windows have passed, his asking price has increased exponentially with his contributions and importance to the Magpies justifying that. Signing a striker was a big task for sporting director Andrea Berta this summer and yet Isak was never really targeted.

Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko emerged very quickly as the top two options with it no surprise a deal for Isak was deemed too expensive considering Newcastle wanted at least £150 million to sell last summer.

Isak’s impact in front of goal has since won Newcastle a trophy and helped them qualify for the Champions League. Returning to Europe’s top club competition also makes the need for a big sale nowhere near as important as it perhaps would have been if they did not finish in the top five.

However, he could still depart St James’ Park with Liverpool eyeing up a sensational swoop despite already spending close to £200m on Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, and though an opening bid has been turned down, the hope is that he will join and play alongside Isak. If Liverpool are unable to sign Isak, their attentions are expected to turn to Ekitike with Arne Slot looking to bolster his attacking ranks.

This chaotic transfer saga looks set to rumble on even if Newcastle reiterate their stance that he is not for sale. That is because Isak could force a move to Anfield with it also possible their stance softens due to having Ekitike ready to arrive as his replacement.

None of this really impacts Arsenal and their transfer business, but it is clear Arteta and Berta made a decision long ago about their summer plans. As the 25-year-old was not seriously considered, Arsenal have known for some time that they been able to spread their summer budget across multiple signings.

Though the deal for Gyokeres has dragged on with Sporting CP haggling over the add-ons of the £63.6m (€73.5m) deal, going for the former Coventry City man has seen Arsenal save some money with RB Leipzig demanding £70m upfront for Sesko.

Those two striker decisions have seemingly allowed for breathing room elsewhere with Noni Madueke set to join from Chelsea in a switch totalling £52m. Signing a wide forward was a priority for Arteta this summer but links to Rodrygo, Rafael Leao and Nico Williams suggested it was a left winger wanted.

All three of those would have cost more than Madueke though, with the club seeing him as a versatile attacker that can play on both flanks. The two fees for Gyokeres and Madueke, inclusive of add-ons, also do not even hit the £120m that is considered as Isak’s starting price.

That means another big signing can be sanctioned with Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze strongly linked. Capable of also playing on the left, the England international would be a great signing and his £68m release clause makes the move an affordable one.

If a deal can be agreed at that price, Arsenal would have spent £183m on three quality attacking options as opposed to signing Isak for a potentially similar fee.

When that context is added, it is a bit of a no-brainer from Arsenal’s perspective to pursue three players over one with it now so important to have excellent squad depth. Newcastle’s stance also makes it clear that if he did depart, it was because of his desire to play for Liverpool.