Arsenal have been dealt another major blow in their pursuit of a striker this January, with Alexander Isak reportedly intent on seeing out the season at Real Sociedad.
Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic had been identified as Arsenal’s primary target up front at the start of the window, but the 21-year-old Serbian is poised to join Juventus in a £67million deal.
The north London giants were therefore forced to focus their attentions on alternatives and set their sights on a possible deal for Isak, 22, who has scored eight goals in all competitions for Sociedad this season.
Seemingly growing agitated with just days remaining until the transfer deadline, Mikel Arteta flew to the United States for face-to-face talks with Stan Kroenke in an effort to convince the Arsenal owner to free up funds for reinforcements this week.
But according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are set for yet more disappointment this winter given Isak will ‘100 per cent’ be remaining at Sociedad and has ‘no plans to change scenery’ midway through the campaign.
It’s claimed Isak’s mindset could change in the summer should Sociedad fail to secure qualification for the Champions League and tying down the Sweden international could prove ‘complicated’ in this scenario.
The report adds that Sociedad remain ‘calm’ about the situation as they believe Isak is unlikely to get distracted by an offer to leave as was the case with Willian Jose two years ago.
The La Liga club view Isak as a ‘huge asset’ considering the eye-watering €90m (£75m) release clause inserted into the five-year contract extension he signed last July.
Speaking to The Independent earlier this season, Isak talked up a possible move to the Premier League down the…
Source : metro
