Football writer Charles Watts has said that if Arsenal are to make a Deadline Day move for anyone, it is most likely to be Alexander Isak.
Mikel Arteta has seen a number of first-team players leave this winter, but as of yet, the Gunners have not brought any new faces in.
Indeed, the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Pablo Mari have left the club (some albeit only on loan), and one of the club’s main targets in Dusan Vlahovic has ended up at Juventus.
With that in mind, and with such a short amount of time left in the January window, Arsenal seem to be running out of options. However, while speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts explained that Real Sociedad striker Isak remains the most realistic target as they could still trigger his release clause.
Will Arsenal make a deadline day signing?
Yes
No
He said: “He is the one that you think if anything’s gonna happen between now and Deadline Day, it could be him because Arsenal don’t need to negotiate anything like that, so they can do it at the late stage like they did with Thomas Partey.”
TIF Thoughts on Alexander Isak and Arsenal…
Arsenal met Atletico Madrid’s £45m release clause for Thomas Partey when they pulled off a Deadline Day transfer two summers ago.
As alluded to by Watts, Isak also has a release clause in his contract, though that is reported to be worth €90m (£75m).
While that figure does seem rather high, if it is triggered, it will allow the Gunners to acquire the player without having to worry about any negotiations with his club – which will save crucial time in the closing hours of the window.
Taking all that into account, it does seem as if this deal really hangs in the balance. If Arteta really wants Isak, the notion is simple – it’s just about whether or not the club are willing to spend that kind of cash on the striker.
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