Chelsea and Manchester United are joining Arsenal in the race to sign Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, according to a report.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad warms up during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on November 07, 2021 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad warms up during the La Liga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at Estadio El Sadar on November 07, 2021. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Mirror report that Chelsea and Manchester United are both keen on the signing of Alexander Isak this summer.

United reportedly see Isak as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst Chelsea could look to Isak if Romelu Lukaku can’t push on this season.

That puts the pressure on Arsenal to qualify for the Champions League, if they want to be able to attract the player ahead of the other two.

Isak was one of Arsenal’s priority centre-forward targets in the January transfer window, but they didn’t end up signing him after Real Sociedad insisted the Gunners would have to pay the player’s release clause.

That release clause (reportedly €90m) was deemed to be above the player’s true market value, so they didn’t trigger it.

The Athletic report that Arsenal will hope that Real Sociedad will be more open to selling in the summer, when they’ll have longer to find and sign a replacement.

But once again, Arsenal are likely to want to negotiate a better price than the full €90m.

VIGO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad at Abanca-Balaídos on October 28, 2021 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
VIGO, SPAIN: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad at Abanca-Balaídos on October 28, 2021. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Isak recently responded to questions about the interest from Arsenal, giving the usual stock answers for these sorts of situations.

“I am not talking about other clubs,” Isak said. “I am a Real [Sociedad] player, I work here and this is my club.

“My work is on the pitch, and as I told you before, there are other people who work outside.

“You can never be sure of anything. As I always say, you never know what can happen in football but in the end I’m here, happy, and nothing more.”