Barcelona’s hierarchy are ‘in love’ with Alexander Isak and have identified the Newcastle sensation as their ‘fundamental objective’ for the summer.
Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the potent and sought-after goalscorers in world football over the past two seasons, netting 44 times in 68 appearances for the Magpies.
A complete host of Europe’s elite clubs are believed to be queueing up for Isak’s signature and the Swede’s future was the topic of intense speculation over the course of the January transfer window.
Nonetheless, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was adamant throughout that Isak was not on the market and a few reports indicated it might have taken a suggestion in excess of £150million to prise the forward away from St James’ Park.
Arsenal have long been linked with Isak however the striker’s eye-watering price tag meant he was never a sensible option this winter and the Gunners launched a late bid for Ollie Watkins as a substitute – which was rejected out of hand by Aston Villa.
It stays to be seen if the north London giants will step up their interest inIsak at the tip of the season but, in the event that they do, they’re more likely to come up against fierce competition from Barcelona.
In response to El Chiringuito reporter Jose Alvarez, Barca have already sounded out the Newcastle attacker and look at him as their primary goal for next season.
‘The club is beginning to plan for the summer… there are several pending departures, let’s not rule out Ronald Araujo or Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski faces an uncertain future,’ Alvarez said on the favored Spanish TV programme.
‘There may be a player that the Barcelona sporting management is in love with, that Joan Laporta is in love with. They consider that he will probably be the icing on the cake for the squad.
‘The fundamental objective is Alexander Isak. At once he’s price €75m (£62.5m) and negotiations have been held with Newcastle.
‘They’ve sounded out the player and the sensation is positive.’
Speaking on the most recent episode of The Overlap, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes suggested Isak should set his sights on a club ‘larger and higher’ than Arsenal.
‘Everyone loves him but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal. He must go larger and higher,’ the previous United and England midfielder said.
‘We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I believe Arsenal could be an option but I believe they’d be down the list of options.
‘I don’t mean that in a foul way but he’s at Newcastle, a very good team, an excellent team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the subsequent stage of his profession.
‘I believe it might be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the identical thing. Liverpool have gotten a significantly better probability, Man City and Real Madrid the identical.
‘I believe his sights must be higher than Arsenal. He’s a player Man United could be but within the position we’re in now… it’s not going to occur.’
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