Real Sociedad set £74.7m asking price for Alexander Isak after Arsenal’s ‘insufficient’ offer

Arsenal must trigger a £74.7million release clause in Alexander Isak’s contract if they wish to sign the Real Sociedad striker before the transfer window closes tonight.

The Sweden international is Mikel Arteta’s first choice after the Gunners failed in a bid to land Dusan Vlahovic, who opted to join Juventus in a £67m deal last week.

Isak was in London with team-mate Adnan Januzaj on the weekend, sparking rumours that he’s set to join the Gunners.

Arteta is a firm admirer of the Swede but Arsenal’s offer so far – of around £58m – is deemed ‘insufficient’ by the La Liga club and they’re not willing to listen to offers for Isak that are below his £74.7m release clause, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Arsenal will therefore have to break their club transfer record in order to sign Isak today but the Gunners have previous in situations such as this, having triggered Thomas Partey’s release clause in the dying hours of the summer transfer window in 2020.

The likes of Calum Chambers, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari have all left the club this month and Arteta is desperate to strengthen his attack.

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The Spaniard was in the United States last week to discuss the club’s transfer business with owner Stan Kroenke but it’s unclear whether the club will release sufficient funds to trigger Isak’s release clause.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to join Barcelona on loan for the remainder of the season and that should free up significant space on the club’s wage bill.

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