HAPPENING LIVE: Alexander Isak transfer to Arsenal set to be completed, paperwork done last night as medical team set to welcome Arsenal second January signing
Arsenal have been instructed to go ‘all out’ to try and sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in the January transfer window. The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the candidates potentially being made available by the Magpies due to Financial Fair Play (FFP).
It’s no secret that Newcastle are currently facing their biggest challenge in complying with FFP rules in recent years. The Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) mean they could be forced to sell some of their key players in order to continue their upward trajectory.
Their recent accounts, which showed a £73.4million loss, has led to speculation over the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Isak. Rio Ferdinand, who saw Isak score a brilliant goal against Manchester City last weekend, has urged Arsenal to answer their centre-forward problems with the Swede.
“Alexander Isak was running in behind constantly (against Manchester City),” Ferdinand told his FIVE podcast. “If I’m Arsenal, I’m going all out and buying him.
“Why? They can’t spend – they’re struggling with [profit and sustainability rules]. I think there’s another jump-up before he goes to a club like Real Madrid. I saw somewhere they have to sell before they can buy again.”
football.london’s Josh Holland says: Whenever I’ve watched Isak in action for Newcastle, he’s impressed. His tall and athletic build causes issues for defenders, partner that with electric pace and a clinical finish – he’s unreal.
Arsenal wanted him when he was at Real Sociedad. Newcastle signed him and he will cost a premium now, but the caveat is that he will now come with Premier League experience. At only 24, he could be the Gunners’ answer now and in the future.
Newcastle’s poor campaign, currently 10th, means Champions League football is highly unlikely to return to Tyneside next season. Arsenal shouldn’t need much recruitment analysis to know this deal makes complete sense.
One player that will be an Arsenal player in the future is David Raya. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are set to confirm the goalkeeper’s permanent move from Brentford.
Raya initially moved to the Emirates Stadium on loan – to navigate fears of FFP – with an option to make it permanent for £27million. The deal was due to become permanent at the end of the season, but confirmation of the transfer could come soon.
“It will be soon. From what I’ve heard, it’s already agreed, so I don’t know when they will make it official,” Romano told Give Me Sport. “It’s something that they already agreed in the summer.
“The Raya deal was going to be permanent at the beginning, but they had to change the structure of the deal because of Financial Fair Play. Brentford decided to help Arsenal with that, but it is not going to change anything. The deal will be made permanent.”
football.london’s Josh Holland says: When you look at the situations at Nottingham Forest and Everton, it’s hard to question Arsenal’s methodology in the transfer market to initially loan Raya. Fast forward six months, he’s clearly Arteta’s number one and making it permanent now opens the door for further incomings.
As many will know, Premier League rules stop Arsenal from loaning another player from Brentford meaning a potential deal to bring Toney, temporarily, is out of the question. But if Raya’s deal is made permanent this month, the Gunners can land their man.
Back to Raya. He may not be everyone’s favourite – Aaron Ramsdale is the better goalkeeper in my opinion – but Arteta is clearly a fan and supporters must continue to back him.
