Rio Ferdinand has urged Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, taking advantage of Newcastle’s financial limitations.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James Park on August 12, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St. James Park on August 12, 2023. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Following Alexander Isak’s impressive recent performance against Manchester City and in light of Arsenal’s centre-forward struggles, Rio Ferdinand has suggested the Gunners should sign the Newcastle United man.

“Alexander Isak was running in behind constantly [against City],” Ferdinand said (via Football365). “If I’m Arsenal, I’m going all out and buying him.

“They (Newcastle United) can’t spend… they’re struggling with [profit and sustainability rules]…I saw somewhere they have to sell before they can buy again.”

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Newcastle player Alexander Isak reacts after injury forces him to leave the field during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Borussia Dortmund at St. James Park on October 25, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Newcastle player Alexander Isak reacts after injury forces him to leave the field during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Borussia Dortmund at St. James Park on October 25, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

It’s true that the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) appear to be causing problems for Newcastle United at the moment.

The Athletic report that the club are believed to be very close to the limit, restricting them from any permanent deals this month despite some key injuries.

With Nottingham Forest and Everton confirming PSR breaches this week, and Everton’s 10-point deduction earlier in the season, it’s clearly an issue that Premier League clubs need to take seriously at the moment.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on January 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on January 13, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Whether Newcastle would consider selling Isak to fund other business, particularly to a Premier League rival in Arsenal, is another matter.

It’s likely there’s at least some interest from the Gunners’ end, given they’ve been following Isak since before he even joined Newcastle. Reports from just last week suggested that interest still exists in 2024.

But a move certainly seems like a long shot at the moment.