Arsenal overtake Barcelona in the race for Real Sociedad striker

Despite the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City, Barcelona’s pursuit of a new forward is set to continue due to the situation surrounding Ousmane Dembele.

While Xavi Hernandez had the idea of using Torres as a false-nine with Dembele and Ansu Fati on the flanks, the Frenchman’s decision not to sign a renewal means that he cannot be counted upon for long. That is why Barça are back on the lookout for a new striker.

The likes of Karim Adeyemi, Anthony, Erling Haaland are all on the radars of the Catalan giants. Another name, who Xavi was looking at as an option to bolster his frontline was Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker is a budding striker who has shown glimpses of his talent since signing for Sociedad in 2019, with a tally of 40 goals in 110 matches.

According to El Nacional, the Swede was on the wishlist of the Barcelona manager, with contacts being made with La Real through intermediaries to assess the possibility of a transfer.

However, Imanol Alguacil’s side responded by pointing towards the 22-year-old’s €90 million release clause, knowing that Barça are in no position to shell out that kind of money. The Basque Country outfit have no intention of doing business with the Blaugrana as they are direct rivals in the race for the Champions League spots this term.

This has meant that the Catalans are now pretty much out of the reckoning for Isak’s signing, with Arsenal now emerging as the frontrunners to land the Swedish international.

Mikel Arteta is on the lookout for a new striker as well, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been frozen out from the squad while Alexandre Lacazette’s contract runs out at the end of the season. Isak is a player that is admired at the Emirates and Sociedad seem more open to doing business with the Gunners.

Furthermore, the north London club also have the financial muscle to pull off a deal, which is why they have now edged past Barcelona in pursuit of the 22-year-old.

With Aubameyang linked with Barça, Arsenal’s pursuit of Isak could pave the way for the Gabonese forward to make his way to Camp Nou.