Barcelona have apparently earmarked Alexander Isak as ‘Plan B’ in case they fail to land Erling Haaland, which could put a spanner in Arsenal’s works as they continue talks with the forward.

Arsenal decided not to activate Alexander Isak’s release clause in January, but they hope Real Sociedad will be open to selling in the summer and are already in touch with the player’s ‘entourage’.

Barcelona, however, according to AS, are also interested in the forward, lining him up as ‘Plan B’ should they fail in their attempts to lure Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Alexander Isak release clause

Alexander Isak was one of Arsenal’s priority centre-forward targets in the January transfer window, but they didn’t sign him after Real Sociedad insisted the Gunners 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 reported that Arsenal hope that Real Sociedad will be more open to selling in the summer, when they’ll have longer to find and sign a replacement.

Sport in Spain now report that Arsenal have got in touch with Isak’s entourage due to Mikel Arteta’s ‘love’ for the player.

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

Alexander Isak on Arsenal interest

At the start of February, Isak 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.”

As it stands, Real Sociedad are only four of points off the top-four, so Isak does have something to focus on with his current club before the summer.

It would be a real boost for them if he rediscovered his goalscoring touch, having only netted four league goals this campaign so far.