Alexander Isak’s Newcastle United future appears to be uncertain. The 25-year-old has three-and-a-half years left on his contract but talks over a new deal have reportedly stalled and the forward could leave next summer.
Isak, who scored 25 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions last season, has not quite had the start to this campaign he would have hoped for. He netted once in his first seven matches – a run that coincided with the Sweden international missing three games with a broken toe.
However, Isak has re-found his form in recent weeks, scoring in four successive matches, including the equaliser in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. That run has moved him to five goals in 11 games – a reasonable tally for a forward but not quite the strike rate he had last season.
Arsenal were linked with a move for Isak over the summer as the club were tipped to sign a new No.9 before the season began. Several strikers were tipped to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium, but Mikel Arteta and co. decided against bringing in a new forward despite Eddie Nketiah leaving for Crystal Palace.
Isak was joined by the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko in being linked with a move to Arsenal, and Kai Havertz’s mixed start to the season has increased rumours that the Gunners still need to sign another striker. Paul Merson believes that Isak should be a target for his former club.
“I’m a big fan of this lad [Isak],” Merson told Sky Sports. “I’m surprised Arsenal didn’t try to break the bank for him at the start of the season. I think he was the missing link for Arsenal.
“He can do everything, he can come short, get in the box, he can spread the game. That’s what you need at Arsenal, so you can get people like [Martin] Odegaard and [Bukayo] Saka on the ball.
“At the moment, Arsenal are a bit congested and haven’t got that running beyond player who’s going to stretch the game. I’m a big fan [of Isak], really big fan.”
Arsenal could grant Merson’s wish by taking advantage of Isak stalling over signing a new contract. It was reported over the summer that Newcastle value Isak at more than £115million – a fee that would come close to the Premier League record signing following Moises Caicedo’s move to Chelsea from Brighton.
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