114-goal striker ‘waiting’ on Arsenal offer as £104m bid ‘expected’ in possible Newcastle United boost

The latest transfer talk from St James Park as Newcastle United prepare for a busy summer transfer window.

Newcastle United’s bid to keep top striker Alexander Isak has been boosted by a purported admission from a Serie A player. The Sweden international has been a huge success in his first two seasons on Tyneside, helping the Magpies turn from relegation prospects to European contenders. After joining from La Liga club Real Sociedad for £63 million in August 2022, Isak scored ten goals and gave three assists in 27 games, helping Eddie Howe’s side reach the Champions League for the first time since 2003.

After adjusting to life in England, Isak went on to become the first Magpies player to score 20 Premier League goals in a single season since Alan Shearer, as Howe’s side narrowly missed out on a place in the Europa Conference League due to Manchester United’s FA Cup Final victory over local rivals Manchester City.

Speaking on the future of Isak and Magpies teammate Bruno Guimaraes, who has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, Howe stated last month: “I expect them to remain here. Yes, I do all of my planning with the squad. I’ve just seen him (Isak) thrive this year. I believe he has liked the environment and the team with whom he has played, and I hope he will continue to do so for many years. We want to establish a squad and a successful team, and we don’t want to sell any of our best players. There is no vulnerability in the club that suggest we will sell anyone.

But, of course, financial fair play exists, and we will have to conform just like everyone else. After failing to win their first Premier League title since 2004, Arsenal has been linked with a deal for Isak on several occasions. Many have cited Mikel Arteta’s side’s lack of a consistent goalscorer in forward positions as a major factor for their narrow loss to Manchester City in the title battle, and the Gunners manager is likely to address that issue during the summer transfer window.

According to the most recent Italian sources, the North London club will be interested in Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen during the offseason. During his four-year stint at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Nigeria international scored 76 goals in 133 appearances in all competitions and played a key role in Napoli’s historic Serie A title win in 2022/23.

According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Osimhen is ‘anticipated’ to make a £104 million move to either Arsenal or a Saudi Arabia Pro League club this summer and is currently ‘waiting’ for an official offer from either. Significantly, Napoli is said to be looking at various prospects for a replacement for their famous striker, including Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres, Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, and RB Leipzig standout Benjamin Sesko, who has also been connected with Arsenal and Newcastle.

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