Premier League clubs face an interesting summer transfer window with the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United looking to bolster their squads.
Newcastle United finished the recently concluded campaign by securing a seventh-placed finish, which usually means European football.
But Manchester United’s shock FA Cup win over Manchester City means that Newcastle will have more blanks in their calendar for the 2024/25 campaign.
As for Arsenal, they finished the season by missing out on the Premier League title on the last day of the season to the all-dominant Manchester City.
But could the duo now be involved in some transfer business that could change the landscape of their seasons going forward?
It has been well-documented that Arsenal hold an interest in two players from St James’ Park – Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
Sources have told HITC that Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the Swedish striker, as sporting director Edu Gaspar pushes for two key transfers this summer – a midfielder and an attacker.
Alan Curbishley was asked about Isak possibly moving to Arsenal because Newcastle need to comply with FFP issues.
He claimed that he is ‘not too sure Newcastle have to balance the books’, as he told Stadium Astro.
But he did warn the Toon Army faithful of shouting ‘too loud’ about Isak’s talents by comparing him to Thierry Henry or ‘something might happen’.
The 24-year-old struck 21 goals from 30 Premier League matches this season and Curbishley highlighted the ‘frightening’ pace he has.
Alexander Isak compared to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
“I am not too sure Newcastle have to balance the books,” said Curbishley about the possible sale of Isak “The thing I like about him is that he goes in behind defenders. That pace is frightening, as the game wears on, the centre-halves drop a little deeper and you are allowed to go into feet.
On Isak’s comparisons with Henry amid Arsenal links: “There is only one,” added Curbishley. “That’s great. But I don’t think they should be shouting too loud them Newcastle fans because something might happen.
“It’s interesting, and you would have to ask Mikel (Arteta), the philosophy here. Is it to bring in young players that are going to be around for four or five years? Or is it the instant hit and you pay for that to give you the lift? It will be interesting to see how they go about it in the summer because, over the last two or three years, it’s been young players, young players and young players. Is it time now to go, bang! Because they have bought so many young players, they can afford to go the other way.”
Alexander Isak in the Premier League
Newcastle night not be playing European football next season, but their fans will admit that Isak is good enough for a Champions League club right now.
And, in truth, if Arsenal somehow got him signed up, then their chances of winning the Premier League title next season increase in big ways.
READ MORE: 50 most likely Premier League, EFL and European summer 2024 football transfers
The only issue is that, for Newcastle themselves to return to the big time, they need to keep hold of a player like Isak.
If he can score 21 goals from 30 matches when he has completed only 90 minutes in 14 of those matches, not forgetting the injuries his team had, then imagine what he would do if he played a lot more and with a settled side.
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