Arsenal have ‘contacted’ forward’s entourage – Arteta ‘loves’ him, wants to reduce €80m price

Arsenal still want to sign Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak but want to lower his €80m release clause to sign him.

That’s according to Sport, who say the Gunners have ‘contacted’ the striker’s entourage, but Isak would prefer a move to Barcelona.

The newspaper explains that there is currently a lot of demand for strikers on the market, but there aren’t many who could move.

Isak is one who could, and Barcelona have him on their list as a Plan B in case they cannot get Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

However, they face competition for the Swedish international and Arsenal are considered a ‘serious competitor’ for his signature.

They have been in contact with the striker’s entourage to ‘inform them’ of their interest and hope to be able to lower his €80m release clause as they consider it to be an ‘out-of-market price’.

Real Sociedad, for now, are ‘adamant’ that figure will have to be met, but Isak’s goal drought this season could make them consider their stance and open up to the idea of negotiating a price that is ‘good for all parties’.

Arsenal, for their part, want Isak as a replacement for Pierre Emerick Aubameyang after his move to Barcelona in January and Arteta ‘loves’ him.

He’s received ‘excellent reports’ from Sociedad about him, but Arsenal believe that the conditions for a transfer are not there unless the Spanish side ‘agree to negotiate’.

They’ll also have to convince the player, who is ‘clear’ that his priority is to go to Barcelona, so much so that he will wait for their decision before ‘deepening negotiations with Arsenal’.