Alexander Isak signs, Viktor Gyokeres clause, Cunha option - Arsenal striker transfer decided

Alexander Isak signs, Viktor Gyokeres clause, Cunha option - Arsenal striker transfer decided

PaperTalk writers debate which striker Arsenal should try and sign in the summer transfer window

Arsenal's transfer business, or lack thereof, has been a topic of debate over the last few weeks. With the Premier League title seemingly slipping away over the last few days, questions about the Gunners' decision not to sign a striker in January have got even louder.

Only time will tell if Arsenal's choice not to bring in a new centre-forward will be the right one. In the meantime, a host of strikers are already being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as was the case in the New Year.

It remains to be seen which players will actually be on Arsenal's transfer shortlist in the summer. Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen are just some of the names who have been mentioned on the Gunners rumour mill over the last few months.

Mark Wakefield

It's quite clear that Arsenal need a striker. The question is, who? They already have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who are both accomplished at Premier League level when available.

Whoever Arsenal sign would need to be an upgrade on their current options. If money was not an issue, then Alexander Isak would be the player that the Gunners should try to sign.

The issue Arsenal may have is finding a striker that fits into the current system that Mikel Arteta uses. The other option is for Arteta to change his tactics at the Gunners to accommodate Isak's arrival, which, if he was to score 25-30 goals a season, may be a risk worth taking.

James Quinlan

Isak just seems too good to be true, whether that is because Newcastle fight for their lives to keep out of anyone's clutches or the player ends up swayed by a rival having witnessed Arsenal's current season play out the way it has done.

He should be the top target but the Gunners can't go into this next window all guns blazing for one player, miss out then do nothing about it. Multiple options need to be considered so second on the list needs to be Matheus Cunha.

It is important that get someone tried and tested in the Premier League and the Brazilian is keeping Wolves afloat right now, all due respect to them. Imagine what he would be like in a title-challenging side.

Amie Wilson

Alexander Isak seems like the perfect option for Arsenal, he’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and his all around game as well as his goalscoring numbers has to be praised. But there could be one big problem with a possible transfer - the price that Newcastle will demand.

Isak is expected to come at a premium and Eddie Howe’s side won’t sell him for a penny less than what they believe he is worth. I can see the price being £150 million plus.

Arsenal therefore will need a fallback option in case they can’t complete a deal for Isak. For me, that should be Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres. He has a release clause of around £80 million, but is said to be available for around £60 million - almost half of what Isak could cost.

The 26-year-old has previously played in England, for Coventry City in the Championship, so moving back to the country shouldn’t take too much settling in. His goalscoring record for club and country speaks for itself.

Tom Coley

This is easy. It's Isak all the way. He is perfect for Arsenal. Whether Arsenal are perfect for Isak is another question.

The slow, heavily dictated, control-centred football Arteta has steadily implemented more and more over recent years will ask for something new from Isak. He has lots to offer outside of being a penalty box No.9, and that is what their play is set up to feed.

Havertz works because he is strong in the air, physical, and presses well. Isak can create for himself and his teammates in a way that many thought Havertz would go on to when he was still a youngster at Bayer Leverkusen.

To restrict Isak and to constantly face low blocks would starve him of a lot. Nevertheless, he would be a massive upgrade and scores goals regardless, that is just how good he is. Chuck £150million down and get it over with.

Bruna Reis

Viktor Gyokeres is a no brainer for me. He has all the attributes to be successful in the Premier League and is likely to be available for fee of around £60m - which seems to be a bargain in comparison to what Newcastle are demanding for Isak.

He’s a threat in behind, clinical in front of goal and has played in England previously. He also plays up front with Isak in the Sweden national team and his record for country and Sporting Clube de Portugal speaks volumes.

If you have got unlimited money at your disposal, or at least a healthy sum having not spent big in the past two transfer windows, surely you would be looking to bring Isak to the Emirates Stadium. There are no sure things in football but the Swede wouldn't be a huge risk.

He has already played at this level with Newcastle and excelled. His strength and ability to lead the line on his own with pace to match, means he would be ideal for the Gunners.

Potentially Arsenal could lure him away from the North East and, if they did, they would be considered automatic favourites for the Premier League crown. That's just how highly Isak is rated right now.

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