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Newcastle United have sent a firm message to Arsenal to indicate that striker Alexander Isak is not for sale.
The Gunners reportedly made the Swedish forward their number one target in the summer transfer window given his exceptional quality.
But when Arsenal approached Newcastle to enquire about a potential deal, it was ‘made clear’ that the 24-year-old would not be sold, reports The Independent.
Arsenal’s sporting director Edu didn’t want the club to get drawn into a lengthy transfer saga and was therefore prepared to move on swiftly if there was no chance of striking a deal quickly.
After it became apparent there was no chance of signing Isak, Mikel Arteta has since been seeking alternative options to bolster his attack for the upcoming season.
It’s also understood there has been ongoing tension between the two clubs at boardroom level due to Arsenal’s efforts to restrict state-owned clubs from flexing their financial muscles.
Executives at Arsenal are said to be among those within the Premier League pushing for tighter rules against the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle, who are owned by UAE and Saudi Arabian powerhouses respectively.
Those strained relationships also likely hindered any potential move which would have taken Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to north London – another player Arsenal were keen on signing but Newcastle absolutely don’t want to lose.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney was briefly linked with Arsenal, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres have also been rumoured to be on Arsenal’s shortlist.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was also on the radar due to a relatively reasonable £56m release clause but he signed a new contract with the Bundesliga side before Euro 2024.
But it’s thought Arteta is now shifting his aim to a wide forward rather than an outright number nine.
Arsenal have already brought in Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £42m, while David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent.
A £25m deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino has also reportedly been agreed, but it remains to be seen whether the club will bring in an attacker before the end of the window.
The Gunners have made it clear they will only spend big on the right player to improve the squad who can help close the narrow gap to champions Man City.
It may also hinge on sales freeing up cash, with Eddie Nketiah possibly following Emile Smith Rowe out the door.
Marseille have already had a bid rejected for Nketiah by Arsenal, who are holding out for around £30m, while Smith Rowe’s £27m move to Fulham was confirmed earlier today.
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