There is absolutely no doubt that Arsenal’s top target after losing out on Vlahovic has been Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, with the Swede even going so far as to come to the Emirates yesterday for final discussions.
So the deal must have been extremely close, but according to El Mundo Deportivo in Spain, Real are sticking to their guns and saying they want the full 90m euro release clause paid in full, while Arsenal are reported to have offered 70m. Real are refusing to compromise right now, but they may change as we get closer to the final deadline, and obviously Arsenal are trying to get the price reduced.
Personally, I think that if Aubameyang goes to Barcelona, Arteta will only be able to appease the fans and get them back on board if he brings in a top class replacement, and it looks like Isak is the only one left in the frame to cover that problem.
But it is a lot of money, especially when added to the massive amounts paid out in the summer, but that investment will all come back in Spades if Isak’s goals propel Arsenal back into the Champions League.
But time is running out, and with Ornstein and Wheatley still not saying the deal is dead, then it is still a possibility.
Fingers crossed, Gooners!
Dan Smith – Do Arsenal need to buy a striker for a chance of the Top Four?
Not worth that kind of money. Panic buying on deadline day isn’t the answer, it’s appeasement for fans.
At this point unlikely we’ll Crack top 4, top 6 even will be a real fight.
Bit late in the game to show ambition. Just play the cards you have, not like Arteta has to fear the sack.
Probably harder to recruit a top striker in the Summer, but it is all self-inflicted at this point.
2017. Laca 50m was a panic buy.
2018. Aubameyang 60m was a panic buy.
2019. Pepe 72 mill was a panic buy.
“We don’t buy stars we make them” it says on the Emirates stadium.
To coach or buy that is the question
So will we be promoting Eddie or waiving the plastic card set at 70m?
Over to you Mikel.
Isak is the real deal his fast he knows where the goal is and his super confident on the ball he just needs to keep it simple sometimes by releasing the ball earlier or he could end up like Pepe
Blowing €70m on this average striker. While we should be looking at Gabriel Nunez of Benfica. He is a better player than him or play Pepe centrally until the end of the season and go for superior talent at the end of the season
I don’t know why pepe hasn’t been played in the middle yet, he has a decent shot so why not give it a go
Fair question to ask, at this point why not give it a try? Not like either of our 2 strikers have scored in the month of January.