Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak must score more goals if he is to earn a big-money move to Premier League giants Arsenal, Terry Gibson tells the La Liga Weekly podcast.
Amid all the speculation surrounding the spring-heeled Sweden international in recent months, a rather underwhelming run of form has somehow managed to fly under the radar.
After missing out on Dusan Vlahovic – their number one striker target – Arsenal have switched their focus to another up-and-coming number nine with potential by the bucketload; 22-year-old Isak (Football London).
The former Borussia Dortmund youngster is also on the respective radars of Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona (Sport).
And, with a £75 million release clause in his contract, Isak may even command a larger transfer fee than the one Juventus splashed out for a man who inherited Cristiano Ronaldo’s number 7 shirt in Turin.
Vlahovic joined the Serie A giants after netting 20 goals in 24 games during the first half of this season. Compare his record to Isak’s – four in La Liga – and that £75 million price-tag suddenly feels even more expensive.
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“Isak, on four goals, is a bit of an issue,” says Gibson, the former Man United and Tottenham forward.
“His all-round play is good but he needs to be banging in (more goals). For him to be talking about going to a ‘next level’ club, he needs to be scoring 15-20 a season. At the moment, he’s on four.
“It is important. If you’re looking to sign a striker for a lot of money, you’re gonna look at that column that says ‘four goals’.
“There’s no doubt he’s got the talent. He plays well for Sweden, scores goals for Sweden. He’s got the potential.
“But the most important thing for a centre-forward is the goals’ column, to give you any chance of taking your team to the next level or you moving onto a Champions League team for £50 million or so.
“Four goals isn’t sufficient.”
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It must be said that Isak did score 17 La Liga goals last term. He was the leading line in an otherwise forgettable Sweden at Euro 2020 too and struck the fear of God into Spain’s backline during a 2-1 victory in September.
Form, as they say, is merely temporary.
Arsenal are reportedly considering Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin too, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to follow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out the door.
The Gunners turned down the chance to sign PSG’s Mauro Icardi in January.
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