As the summer transfer window approaches, Arsenal’s need for a marquee striker remains one of the most discussed topics in English football.
With Gabriel Jesus set to be sold before his ACL injury scuppered Arsenal’s plans and Kai Havertz still viewed more as a hybrid forward than a traditional No. 9, the Gunners have made it clear that strengthening their attack is a priority.
Among the names touted, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has surfaced repeatedly since the club were first linked with him in 2016 when he was still a teenager.
But, despite the Swedish striker’s electric form and stylistic resemblance to Thierry Henry, Arsenal are highly unlikely to meet Newcastle’s reported £150 million valuation, and for good reason.
On paper, Isak ticks all the boxes.
His composure in front of goal, fluid movement between the lines, and ability to operate both centrally and wide evoke nostalgic echoes of Henry at his prime. He has scored 21 goals in 29 Premier League appearances this season, positioning himself as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.
Moreover, his chemistry with compatriot Martin Ødegaard during their time together at Real Sociedad adds a subplot to any potential reunion in North London.
Under the now-departed Edu Gaspar alongside Mikel Arteta, the club has shown a disciplined approach to recruitment. The idea of spending over £150 million on one player, a fee that would shatter Arsenal’s transfer record and test the limits of Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), seems at odds with the model they’ve worked hard to establish.
Newcastle, now financially doped by Saudi backing, are under no pressure to sell their most valuable asset. Isak is under contract until 2028, and Eddie Howe’s side view him as the centrepiece of their long-term project.
According to reports, even last summer’s financial issues didn’t result in serious talks about Isak’s exit, with Newcastle instead exploring sales of Anthony Gordon and considering bids for Bruno Guimarães, both also linked with Arsenal.
Arsenal, while cash-rich compared to many European peers, have prioritised squad balance and sustainable growth. Their marquee signings, Declan Rice (£105m) and Kai Havertz (£65m), were viewed as important upgrades but that was spending on two players.
Committing nearly £150 million to a single player, particularly one who may have a limited resale value by the time his prime is over, is not a gamble the club seems likely to take.
Instead, Arsenal appear to be casting a wider net, and three names stand out: Benjamin Šeško, Victor Gyökeres and Victor Osimhen.
Arsenal made a concerted effort to sign Šeško during last summer’s window, viewing the Slovenian as a long-term solution at centre-forward.
The 21-year-old ultimately chose to remain in Germany for another year of development, but it is widely believed that his departure is imminent, with a reported gentleman’s agreement allowing him to leave for a fixed fee of €60 million this summer.
Šeško is, by some margin, the most unrefined of the strikers under Arsenal’s consideration. His return of 19 goals in 40 appearances reflects promise more than polish, but is still not to be sniffed at.
Yet, for Arsenal’s technical staff, that may be the point. He is younger, more malleable, and more aligned with a model built around long-term development and resale value if they don’t fit. While he may not offer the instant impact of others on the list, Šeško represents a different kind of investment that seems to appeal to the club.
Victor Gyökeres, meanwhile, has been nothing short of sensational at Sporting CP, with a goal involvement every 60 minutes in the Primeira Liga this season.
Tall, powerful, and tactically versatile, Gyökeres reportedly has a release clause around €100 million (£85m), significantly less than Isak, and a fee more in line with Arsenal’s recent transfer thresholds.
He’s also homegrown under UEFA regulations, having spent formative years at Coventry City and Brighton, which increases his value for clubs managing European squad quotas.
Osimhen, on the other hand, currently on loan with Galatasaray, has long been linked with a move to England. With a release clause in the region of €120 million (£103m), Osimhen’s fee would still be massive but more justifiable for a player who combines elite goal-scoring with Champions League pedigree.
Given the fact he has no future with his parent club, a cut-price deal could also be on the table this summer.
The Nigerian striker’s physical profile suits the Premier League, and his combative style, aerial ability, and knack for late goals could offer Arsenal a very different dimension up front.
However, Osimhen’s injury history and wage demands might offer Arsenal pause.
As enticing as the Alexander Isak narrative may be, the numbers simply don’t seem to fit with Arsenal’s model as it currently stands.
Unless Newcastle’s valuation drops significantly, which is not going to happen, Arsenal will most likely look elsewhere to sharpen their attack.