Arsenal are weighing up whether they should pay Alexander Isak's release clause as AC Milan join the race for the Real Sociedad striker.
The Gunners have left it until deadline day to make their move for a striker after their number on target Dusan Vlahovic joined Juventus.
Isak has emerged as an alternative but Mikel Arteta doesn't have long to get a deal over the line with the transfer window closing on Monday night.
Arsenal were initially confident they could negotiate a fee lower than the Swede's release clause but they have now been told by Sociedad they will need to pay the full amount, which is £75.4million, if the striker is to leave this month, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
Will Alexander Isak sign for Arsenal before the transfer window closes? Comment below
The Gunners seem to be on the fence on whether they should give into Sociedad's demands or go back in for Isak in the summer when his price would potentially be reduced.
But reports that AC Milan are also considering a move for the 22-year-old might force Arsenal's hand.
It's claimed the Italians view Isak as a potential long-term replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovich.
Isak added fuel to the fire he was Arsenal bound when he was spotted in London over the weekend.
It's claimed that Isak was in a bar in Kingly Court in Soho and in a shopping centre alongside teammate and former Manchester United man Adnan Januzaj.
Isak has previously revealed it would be a dream of his to play in the Premier League one day.
"I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well," Isak recently told The Independent.
"They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative. Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level.
"I have expectations for myself that I’m trying to fulfil, so we’ll see where the journey takes me in future."
Isak also used to be an avid fan of Arsenal when Arsene Wenger was in charge as he regularly watched the Gunners.
In an interview with Min Stora Dag alongside Sweden team-mate Dejan Kulusevski, Isak also revealed his childhood footballing idol was none other than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as the rising star believes they share similar qualities.
He said: "I have a lot of football players who I have looked up to & have taken a lot from, but if I have to name one, I would say Thierry Henry, who I have really liked all the time & where I see many qualities that I have tried to follow.”
