REPORTING LIVE FROM FABRIZIO ROMANO: Medical ongoing as Arsenal complete the shocking signing of £100m striker,Installmental payment to be made to enable Arsenal go for another two key signings – Arteta is happy with this signing as announcement ONGOING

REPORTING LIVE FROM FABRIZIO ROMANO: Medical ongoing as Arsenal complete the shocking signing of £100m striker,Installmental payment to be made to enable Arsenal go for another two key signings – Arteta is happy with this signing as announcement ONGOING

It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Alexander Isak, who has been linked to Arsenal for some time.

Arsenal passed on the chance to sign Isak before the Swedish striker signed for Newcastle United in 2022.

Since then, the 25-year-old has netted 54 times in the Premier League, making the Gunners’ reservations over the forward’s price tag seem rather comical.

Now it’s understood that Arsenal would have to pay £150m for Isak, who Newcastle won’t be letting go to join a rival without a significant fight.

Mikel Arteta now prefers Viktor Gyokeres to Alexander Isak
Arteta has spoken glowingly about Isak in the past, as the Spaniard continues to dream of having the former Real Sociedad marksman at the Emirates.

With there still being a real chance that Newcastle could finish above Arsenal in the Premier League table, it remains to be seen whether the forward will even want to leave the club in the summer.

Aside from possible doubts the Swede might have about leaving, there’s another reason why Isak is unlikely to join Arsenal.

When sharing an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, Portuguese outlet A Bola shared their understanding that Arteta is turning his attention away from Isak for profit reasons.

“Mikel Arteta believes that acquiring Gyokeres could be more profitable than Isak, as it is less costly in financial terms and the current number 9 of the Lions also provides a guarantee of goals.”

A Bola states that Gyokeres, who has reportedly ‘agreed’ terms with Arsenal over a possible salary, is now regarded as the Gunners’ leading striker target, mostly due to his price tag in comparison to Isak’s.

One major difference between Isak and Gyokeres
Gyokeres could cost Arsenal as little as £59m in the summer from Sporting CP, which is a vast difference to the price required to purchase Isak.

There’s a £91m cost difference between the two free-scoring strikers, and remarkably, there’s also a difference of 25 goals, swaying in Gyokeres’ favour.

While the 26-year-old appears to be a no-brainer when comparing numbers with Isak, there’s one major loophole that cannot be overlooked.

With Isak, Arsenal could acquire a seasoned Premier League scorer, whereas with Gyokeres, there’s no guarantee that the Swede will be ready to adapt to the English top-flight.

One thing that is interesting about the Sporting superstar is that he played in England prior to signing for the Portuguese side, representing Coventry City in the Championship.

The Premier League is not an easy competition to conquer, as so many arriving in-form from abroad know.

Still, Arteta reportedly understands the risk and is willing to place Gyokeres above Isak on Arsenal’s transfer wishlist, making for an interesting summer ahead.