“That, at the minute, is what everybody needs” - Alan Shearer names only club who can beat Arsenal in race for Alexander Isak
Alan Shearer has claimed that Chelsea might be the only club who can afford to sign Arsenal target Alexander Isak. He believes that the Blues will be able to pay the £150 million asking price set by Newcastle United.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer stated that Isak was one of the best in the world and it is not a surprise that Newcastle United want to keep him. He added that Chelsea and Arsenal need a player like the Swede but only the Blues would be open to paying the amount demanded by the Magpies. He said:
“Other than possibly Chelsea, I genuinely don’t think that anybody could afford to buy Alexander Isak; because of the way that the rules are structured with PSR, I don’t think that anybody could afford him. I’ll never say PSR rules are a good thing – even without them in place, I’m not sure if anybody would be able to go to the price that Newcastle would ask for to sell him. I’d guess that they wouldn’t even entertain it. If you’ve paid £63m for someone and he’s smashing the league up like he is right now, what would the price be?"
“I’ve looked at £150m being talked about, but I don’t think that they would even entertain that, why would they? The problem then would be getting somebody in who could do as good of a job. That, at the minute, is what everybody needs – a centre-forward. There isn’t a club in the country who wouldn’t go out and buy a centre-forward like Isak if one was available.”
Reports earlier this month stated that Newcastle United wanted £150 million from any side interested in signing Isak. They are also looking to offer him a new deal to extend his stay at St James' Park.
Paul Merson urged Arsenal to break the bank for Alexander Isak
Paul Merson spoke on Sky Sports earlier this month and stated that Arsenal should be going all out to sign Alexander Isak. He believes that the striker is needed for Mikel Arteta's side and said:
“If I was Arsenal and I had the money, I’d go out and buy Isak. I’d break the bank for him. He’s the best of the best, he takes Arsenal to the next level. I’m looking at the all-round picture, I’m looking at next season as well. I think if we can get hold of Isak who is the best in the business at the moment, I think that would be a massive coup for Arsenal."
PSG and Liverpool are also said to be interested in signing from Newcastle United. The striker has stated that he is not thinking about his future and is happy at St James' Park.
