With Arsenal's pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic hitting a snag, it is looking increasingly likely that the club renew their interest in another of their attacking targets.
Alexander Isak has been mentioned in connection with the Gunners before, and a switch for the Sweden international may well be back on the cards as the Vlahovic deal looks more and more difficult to complete.
Arsenal have reportedly found themselves frustrated in their negotiations with Vlahovic, who has rejected new terms with Fiorentina and could yet leave this month if his demands are met.
That is easier said than done, though, and Isak is just one of a number of other long-term targets who could be back on the table amid uncertainty over the London side's current forward line.
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Arsenal drew 0-0 at home to Burnley on Sunday, their fourth successive game without a goal in all competitions, and have scored the fewest of all teams in the Premier League's top six.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract in the summer, while Folarin Balogun has been sent out on loan for the remainder of the current campaign.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal's top scorer in two of the last three seasons, has not played a minute for the club since early December, and The Athletic reports that the future of the Gabon forward is likely to "intertwine with" any other attacking investment.
The report claims Isak has a release clause in his contract, though Mikel Arteta's side may feel they can negotiate a lower fee.
The 22-year-old Real Sociedad striker has scored 30 goals in 88 La Liga games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, and his three Europa League group stage goals have helped set up a play-off game against RB Leipzig.
He also scored four of Sweden's 12 World Cup qualifying goals, ensuring Janne Andersson's team will make it to Qatar if they can get past the Czech Republic and one of Russia and Poland.
Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone has expressed his frustrations over Vlahovic's future, revealing the club have not revealed an official offer for the Serbia striker.
"We’re open to discuss and negotiate – but we want Vlahović and his agent to be clear on the future, as they’re not answering. We need to talk about it," he told DAZN.
"[We want] Clarity from the player and his entourage. Fiorentina have a future, a group, a support and a city that must focus on this season."
Arsenal are believed to be confident of agreeing terms with the Italian side, but negotiations with Vlahovic and his representatives appear to be more of a challenge.
The 21-year-old is the joint-highest scorer in Serie A this season, and Arsenal have reportedly set him a deadline as they aim to get their transfer business done before the January window shuts.
