Arsenal finally addressed their striker problem in the summer by signing Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners had been in need of a new centre-forward for several seasons – ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fell out with Mikel Arteta and was pushed out of the club.
Gabriel Jesus initially looked like a game-changer, but injuries have really hampered his career in the famous red and white.
Gyokeres has now been tasked with solving Arsenal’s issues up top, but before he was pursued, another elite striker was keen to join the Gunners.
Alexander Isak was ‘really interested’ in joining Arsenal
Almost every Arsenal fan dreamed of seeing Alexander Isak join the club.
The Sweden international is one of the best strikers on the planet, and he was absolutely incredible for Newcastle United during his time there.
Arsenal were long linked with a move to sign Isak, but Newcastle’s price tag made it impossible for the Gunners to get him.
Liverpool ended up signing the former Real Sociedad man in the end, but before the Reds made him their top target, Isak had his sights set on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
That’s according to Miguel Delaney, who said on Independent Sport’s YouTube channel: “I do wonder whether if Arsenal are looking to get over the line in that way, whether they will eventually regret not maybe say putting the money from Madueke, as good as he’s been, and Gyokeres into signing an Isak or and Isak level player or going for Isak himself.
“I mean, there was a time not that long ago when he was really interested in going to Arsenal.”
Will Arsenal regret not signing Alexander Isak?
In theory, signing Isak for the same money that Gyokeres and Noni Madueke cost makes sense, but there is a glaringly obvious error in that statement.
Arsenal didn’t just need a new striker in the summer but also a backup for Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
The Gunners’ number seven suffered an injury in the second game of the season and spent a spell on the sidelines. Madueke filled in for him excellently and impressed everyone.
Yes, Isak would’ve been an ‘unbelievable‘ signing at Arsenal, but we think Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta were right to divide the funds to sign two top-class players instead of the now-Liverpool star.
Gyokeres, who is Isak’s international teammate, must now prove to the world that he can do just as good a job as his compatriot in the Premier League.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Shamanth Jayaram