Arsenal is considering the acquisition of Alexander Isak and Michael Olise as they actively seek to strengthen their squad with a new striker and winger.
Arsenal is looking to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad by targeting a striker and winger in the upcoming summer transfer window. The team’s hopes of reaching their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 were dashed by Bayern Munich.
Despite recent setbacks against Aston Villa and Bayern, Arsenal’s chances of winning silverware this season hinge on Manchester City slipping up in the Premier League title race.
Following a second-place finish last year, Arteta’s side has shown signs of improvement after significant investments in players like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurriën Timber.
However, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) acknowledges the need for further strengthening in order to progress to the next level.
It is common knowledge that Newcastle’s striker Alexander Isak is a top priority for Arsenal. The potential cost for acquiring him is estimated to be around £100m. Arsenal had extensively scouted Isak before his transfer to St James’ Park in August 2022, which was initially valued at £63m.
Another player that Arsenal has been strongly linked with is Isak’s Sweden teammate Viktor Gyökeres. Gyökeres has had an impressive season, scoring 36 goals for Sporting in Portugal after joining from Coventry last year. He has an £86m buyout clause. Although Arsenal’s interest in Brentford’s Ivan Toney has cooled down, the Juventus and Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic could be considered as an alternative.
Despite only making nine Premier League starts this season due to injury, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise has caught the attention of Arsenal’s scouting department. Olise signed a new four-year contract in August after rejecting Chelsea’s offer.
Arsenal sees him as a potential target. His contract includes a release clause that will come into effect in the summer, estimated to be around £65m. Manchester City and Manchester United are also closely monitoring Olise.
While Arsenal must be cautious not to violate the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations, the club’s sporting director, Edu, is expected to receive a budget similar to the previous year, as confirmed by non-executive director Josh Kroenke.
KSE, the club’s owner, reported a significant increase in its value compared to the previous year, thanks to the success of its various teams in different sports, including the Denver Nuggets basketball franchise, which secured its first NBA title last year.
Following a challenging week, Arsenal aims to support Arteta’s squad. Captain Martin Ødegaard expressed the players’ devastation after their 1-0 loss in the second leg against Bayern. They intend to use that disappointment as motivation when they face Wolves on Saturday.