The seconds tick away for Arsenal to secure the striker reinforcement they so desperately need to acquire before the close of the January transfer window.
With every day, fewer doors remain open, but Arsenal will need to rely on their contacts and allies on the continent if they want to try and find the best option. It is clear that the amount of business done by the Gunners with different sides shows how strong their connections are.
However, technical director Edu has shown ruthlessness in the market and has not been afraid to ruffle some feathers if it benefits his club. Activating the release clause of Thomas Partey on the final day of the 2020 summer window came as an unwelcome surprise to Atletico Madrid.
Libertad Digital’s Atleti correspondent David Vinuesa reported that the move had taken Diego Simeone by surprise, and he was said to be ‘angry’ at the situation.
Arsenal now face a dilemma with another side they have strong relations with.
With the Gunners looking to secure the signing of a striker before the end of the window, Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move.
It is claimed that Isak is on a list that includes a number of forwards after Arsenal failed in their attempts to sign Dusan Vlahovic before Juventus came along with what appears to be a convincing offer.
According to Mundo Deportivo’s Angel Lopez, Arsenal and Real Sociedad have ‘excellent relations’ which allowed a favourable deal for Nacho Monreal to join la Real.
Interestingly, Lopez details that the move that saw the former Gunners left-back sign for the Basque club, ‘could be compensated with some other type of arrangement such as a preferential option over a player from the txuri urdin squad.’
The Athletic report that Arsenal hope to negotiate down the price of Isak from the £75 million release clause but with Sociedad in a race for Champions League qualification, they will likely be unwilling to let their star man leave for anything less than the buyout.
Therefore, in order for Arsenal to have a hope of signing Isak, Edu may again need to repeat his cut-throat tactics and activate yet another La Liga release clause with just hours remaining in the window.
Whether this would ruin the ‘excellent relations’ remains to be seen. These were built through previous transfers such as the Carlos Vela move and even consultations with the club for advice about the Anoeta stadium refurbishment.
Ultimately, Arsenal need a quality striker and the benefits of acquiring Isak and pushing for a Champions League qualification spot would far outweigh the relationship between the clubs.
Ruthlessness has been a characteristic shown by the Arsenal recruitment and sales team to the club’s benefit and detriment.
The decision in the forward role must be made accurately.
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