Paul Merson: Arsenal is the Most Probable Candidate to Acquire a ‘World-Class’ Striker Valued at £150 Million

Arsenal’s pursuit of a top-class striker has taken an intriguing turn, with club legend Paul Merson backing the Gunners as the likeliest destination for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. Merson insists that Arsenal is the only club in England—and possibly the world—that the Swedish forward should consider joining if he leaves St. James’ Park.

The speculation surrounding Isak’s future has intensified following his standout performances against Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals. The Swedish international played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s triumph, scoring in the first leg at the Emirates and then delivering a stunning display in the return fixture at St. James’ Park. His movement, technical ability, and finishing left Arsenal’s defenders struggling, with William Saliba being particularly troubled by Isak’s sharp turns and quick footwork.

Despite seeing a brilliantly taken goal ruled out by VAR in the second leg, Isak was instrumental in Newcastle’s opening goal, hitting the post after a dazzling dribble past Saliba, allowing Jacob Murphy to tap in the rebound. His all-round performance reaffirmed his status as one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards, further fueling speculation about a potential summer transfer.

Reports suggest that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing Isak to North London, identifying him as the ideal striker to lead the line for the Gunners. Newcastle, however, has placed a hefty £150 million valuation on the 24-year-old, making any potential transfer a complicated affair.

Merson believes that Arsenal is the only realistic option for Isak if he wishes to leave Newcastle, considering the financial situations and squad depth of other elite clubs. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Arsenal playmaker explained that other top clubs either cannot afford him or already have their attacking positions locked down.

“The young man is an exceptional athlete,” Merson said. “As I was thinking about it, I asked myself, ‘Where could he realistically go?’ He won’t be moving to Manchester City—they have Erling Haaland. He won’t be joining Manchester United because I’m not sure if they have the financial resources for such a signing right now.”

Merson also ruled out other potential suitors in England, including Tottenham and Aston Villa, citing their existing attacking options and financial considerations. “I don’t see Tottenham making a move, and I don’t think Aston Villa is in that bracket yet. When you look at the landscape, Arsenal is the only club left that makes sense for him,” he added.

Real Madrid could be another possible destination, but Merson is skeptical about the Spanish giants making a move given their expected acquisition of Kylian Mbappé. “Unless Real Madrid comes in—and even then, they have Mbappé arriving—I don’t see anywhere else for him to go other than Arsenal,” he said.

The debate over whether Isak would be a good fit at Arsenal is an interesting one. The Gunners have struggled with consistency in the striker position, with Gabriel Jesus facing injury concerns and Eddie Nketiah yet to fully convince as a long-term solution. Isak’s ability to play as a central striker while also being comfortable in wider positions could make him a perfect addition to Arteta’s tactical setup.

Newcastle will undoubtedly resist any attempts to pry Isak away, as he remains their most valuable attacking asset. Since arriving from Real Sociedad in 2022, he has steadily improved, becoming a key figure in Eddie Howe’s attacking setup. His combination of pace, technical ability, and finishing prowess makes him one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League.

A look at Isak’s statistics this season further highlights his importance to Newcastle. He has already scored 17 league goals, making him the club’s top scorer, while also contributing five assists. His 1.6 key passes per game rank second in the squad, while he leads in shots per game (2.9) and dribbles per game (1.5). His overall match rating of 7.51 reflects his impact and consistency.

Arsenal’s ambitions of challenging for the Premier League title and competing in the Champions League mean they will need an elite striker capable of delivering in big moments. Isak has already demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, and his experience in England would make him a less risky signing compared to other overseas targets.

However, financial considerations could pose a challenge. Arsenal has invested heavily in recent transfer windows, and a £150 million outlay on one player would require significant planning. The club would likely need to offload some players to balance the books and comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Merson also touched on this issue, stating that Arsenal’s ability to sign Isak might depend on Newcastle’s financial situation. “It’s going to be interesting because FFP could play a role in this. I’m not sure what Newcastle needs to do, but if they are forced to sell, then Arsenal should be all over this,” he concluded.

With the summer transfer window approaching, speculation around Isak’s future will only continue to grow. If Arsenal is serious about strengthening their attack, they may have to make a bold move to bring the Swedish star to the Emirates. Whether Newcastle is willing to entertain negotiations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Isak has all the qualities to be a game-changer for any top club.

For now, Arsenal fans can only wait and hope that their club makes the decisive move. If Arteta and the Arsenal board manage to secure Isak’s signature, it could be the signing that elevates them to genuine title contenders next season.