Arsenal are aware that the final decision made by one of their Premier League rivals could define their summer transfer plans.
Arsenal are still on the lookout for a new striker.
For the first half of this season, finding someone to reliably lead the line was a real problem for the Gunners.
Gabriel Jesus has endured a dreadful season in front of goal. The Brazilian striker has just four Premier League strikes to his name. Whilst the former Manchester City man has never been the most prolific forward, Mikel Arteta will have expected a far greater return from him than this.
Jesus has vowed to change his game in an effort to become more clinical, but he will never be any kind of goal machine.
Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. The Hale End academy graduate is now one of thirteen Arsenal players who may well leave the club at the end of this season.
Will Kai Havertz affect Arsenal plans to sign a striker?
In the second half of the campaign, though, Kai Havertz has really stepped up. The German is on a hot streak of form, and impressed again in the North London derby on Sunday.
Arteta initially had Havertz earmarked as a midfield option when he brought him to the club from Chelsea last summer. However, the 24-year-old’s aerial prowess, physicality, pressing ability, and smart movement make him an ideal tactical fit as the focal point of the Gunners’ attack.
Havertz’s form has been so good that Arsenal may reconsider their plans to sign another striker at all this summer.
That being said, Arteta may still wish to drop the 24-year-old back into midfield, and having another quality option up front to challenge for a starting berth would certainly not be a bad thing.
Arsenal warned of Newcastle United stance on Alexander Isak
As such, as reported by GiveMeSport, the North London club are weighing up a move for Alexander Isak. However, the viability of a deal being struck for the Swedish striker will hinge on his price tag, as Arsenal “are aware” that Newcastle United “do not want to sanction his exit.”
A £100 million fee has been touted in relation to Isak. It remains to be seen if the Gunners would be willing to stretch that far for a centre-forward this summer given Havertz’s rise to prominence.
Isak would be an exciting addition to Arteta’s squad. He has been in fine form this season, having racked up 23 goal across all competitions. He also has the versatility to operate comfortably on the flanks as well as through the middle, meaning he would be an option to play alongside Havertz rather than just instead of him.