What Josh Kroenke said on Tue when asked if Arsenal might now go for NUFC striker Isak
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke was asked by senior figures in the Premier League at the PFA awards whether a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak could now be on the cards, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.
The Gunners were keen on the wantaway Newcastle star earlier this summer as their manager Mikel Arteta was open to luring him away from St James’ Park club.
However, Arsenal eventually opted to bring in his international teammate Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead.
Isak wants to leave the Magpies and he put out a statement on social media on Tuesday night to express his displeasure at the Toons.
Liverpool have seen a bid of £110 million rejected by Newcastle for the Sweden international striker.
Kroenke’s colleagues were keen to get his opinion concerning Arsenal making a move.
“By Tuesday evening at the PFA awards, as Alexander Isak’s statement had the adverse effect of ensuring that Newcastle United were now absolutely not going to sell to Liverpool, some senior figures present started to speculate that Arsenal might go in for the striker,” Delaney wrote in his ‘Inside Football’ bi-weekly newsletter today.
“It was even put to individuals at the club, since owner Josh Kroenke was in attendance at the Manchester Opera House.
“The general response was “no chance”. That was partly because of the £150m asking price, but mostly because they were already acting on long-standing interest in Eberechi Eze.”
Arsenal are expected to make an official announcement confirming the signing of the Crystal Palace attacker any minute now.
A move for Isak might have been considered had the Gunners not already brought in Gyokeres, and it remains to be seen where he will be plying his trade this season.
The 25-year-old has refused to train with the Newcastle first-team and does not want to be reintegrated as he is insisting on leaving.
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