Arsenal handed £149m Alexander Isak transfer twist after 'verbal agreement' claims

The transfer battle for Newcastle's Alexander Isak is starting to heat up with Arsenal joined by two other clubs in the race for his signature. The Gunners have been long-term admirers of Isak with interest present dating back to his days at Real Sociedad before his move to Tyneside back in the summer of 2022.

The prolific Sweden international impressed in his first two campaigns, with 36 goals scored, but he has taken his game to the next level in the last six months. Isak has already scored 17 times in the Premier League this season with his all-round play helping Newcastle pick up several positive results which includes reaching the Carabao Cup final, where they will play Liverpool.

Arsenal are firmly in the market for a striker - with Isak one of several under consideration. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP and now Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike also appears of interest after impressing in Germany.

Ahead of the summer window, transfer rumours are beginning to circulate with Spanish outlet Sport recently claiming that Isak has a verbal understanding with Newcastle that he will be allowed to discuss terms with an interested club if a bid worth £83.3million is submitted.

Liverpool and Chelsea are other Premier League teams also keen on signing a striker that have been linked to Isak, while Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are the latest top European clubs to be credited with an interest.

With so many clubs chasing his signature, it is no surprise to see that the Magpies are demanding a significant fee to sanction a would-be sale. According to AS, a staggering £149million (€180m) will be how much is needed to sign the 25-year-old and if that asking price is met, it would set a Premier League record.

Isak actually leaving St James Park rests on a number of factors, though, with the club's league finish and outcome of the Carabao Cup final most likely to be important in that regard. After a season of no European football, Isak will almost definitely want to be back in the Champions League - by one way or another.

Liverpool, Arsenal, PSG and Barcelona all appear likely to achieve that for the next season which could see a major decision needed to be made by Isak and his representatives.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!

By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.

To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!

If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.