Paul Merson believes there is simply ‘one club in the entire world’ Arsenal transfer goal Alexander Isak can join in the summertime.
The Newcastle striker gave one other demonstration of his ability in last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over the Gunners.
Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Isak was a continuing menace and comprehensively won his battle with the often unflappable William Saliba.
The 25-year-old’s current contract runs until the summer of 2028 which offers Newcastle a measure of security, but Isak has reportedly been keen to barter fresh terms and a rise on his current £120,000-a-week salary.
Arsenal, who missed the chance to sign Isak when he was at Real Sociedad, are expected to be out there for a forward in the summertime having kept their powder dry within the January window.
Should they revive their interest in Isak, Merson believes they’re likely to achieve success should they provide you with an acceptable financial package.
He told Sky Sports: ‘It should come right down to money. I don’t know the lad but that can greater than likely come right down to.
‘If someone is available in and offers loads of money it would be hard. For me I don’t know. In the meanwhile they’re in the ultimate. Will they win it? In the event that they play Tottenham possibly, in the event that they play Liverpool it’s going to be harder.
‘The lad is a special player. On the best way in I used to be considering where can he go? Where is he going to go?
‘He’s not going to Man City, he’s not going to Man Utd, I don’t know in the event that they’ve got any money to purchase anybody anyway.
‘You’re not going to Tottenham or Villa. He can only go to Arsenal really unless it’s Real Madrid they usually’ve got Mbappe anyway.
‘For me it’s only Arsenal where he can go after which it’s as much as him. Does he wish to go to Arsenal where I would win something or stay at Newcastle and might win something. It’ll be an interesting one but it surely is dependent upon the fair play rules.’
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Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, meanwhile, could only applaud Isak’s latest status enhancing display and praised the best way during which he ‘rattled’ Saliba and Gabriel.
He said: ‘I just love watching Isak, I feel he’s on one other level together with his movement. He’s certainly one of those players, he’s so unassuming in the best way he plays and the best way he carries himself that he almost slinks across the pitch after which hastily, bang, he comes into life.
‘The prospect where he hits the goal when Murphy scores, he’s got no right to spin and get that ball, but as he wins that flick past Saliba, his instinct to spin and get around him, he doesn’t know what’s going to occur. Gordon fires the ball into him. It’s his response and anticipation that makes it occur.
‘He rattled Arsenal, the 2 [Arsenal] centre-backs, didn’t have a superb night. Hats off to Eddie Howe, got the sport plan BANG ON, absolutely played out that way with a bit of help from Arsenal.’
