Alexander Isak has remained a key target of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in particular over the course of the past 18 months plus and even beyond. There was interest during his time at Real Sociedad.
For the Gunners to be successful in any pursuit for the Swedish international in the summer transfer window, a number of different outcomes were needed. The main one was the Magpies missing out of European football, or at the very least Champions League football.
Isak has high ambitions moving into his mid-20s, and after Newcastle were eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton, an avenue to European football has been closed. With Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all out of the competition already, the doors were opening for a club to spring a surprise in the tournament, but it will not be Newcastle.
The winners, if they have not finished in a qualifying league position, earn a place in next season’s Europa League – just as Manchester United did last season. Newcastle are currently sixth in the league but only one point ahead of Bournemouth and Brighton, two ahead of Fulham and Aston Villa in ninth and 10th.
With Anthony Gordon being given a straight red card, he will miss the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool too. A huge blow across three competitions, he misses league games against West Ham and Brentford as well.
If Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe and fall short in the cups, Isak could then end the season empty-handed. Could then a move to a top side materialise as a result?
Arsenal will be looking to invest big in the summer in a striker and have already shown interest in alternatives like Benjamin Sesko. Isak would be much pricier, especially considering his contract runs through several more seasons yet.
Arsenal would need to weigh up whether or not a move makes financial sense as they have needs in the wide areas, midfield, defence and a backup goalkeeper. With a summer of so much necessary business, it could be that Newcastle’s season becomes irrelevant for the Gunners in any pursuit, anyway.
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