'In an ideal world': David Ornstein says Arsenal would love to sign £60m player

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For what feels like the umpteenth transfer window in a row, Arsenal's search for a striker is one of the main stories heading into January.

Arsenal have been looking for a striker for years now.

Dusan Vlahovic almost joined Arsenal before his move to Juventus in 2022, while, last year, Ivan Toney was a key Arsenal target.

Arsenal have looked at Benjamin Sesko this year, while Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Alexander Isak.

Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, David Ornstein has been discussing Isak's situation at Newcastle, and he says that the striker would be a dream target for Arsenal if money wasn't an issue.

• READ MORE: Arsenal will 'shift their focus entirely' to £54m striker if Benjamin Sesko snubs them again

Arsenal would love Alexander Isak

Ornstein shared what he knows about Arsenal and their admiration of Isak.

The journalist says that Arteta is a big fan of the £60m player, and he believes that if Arsenal could choose to sign any striker in the world, Isak would be high on their list.

"I think we should cast our gaze onto Alexander Isak. We have seen how unbelievably good he is when he's fit and in a rhythm.

"There doesn't appear to be any progress on a new contract. Newcastle have him for several more years, and that perhaps opens the opportunity for clubs to make a push.

"He's somebody that clubs have looked very closely at in the past. Arsenal, for example, looked to sign him when he was at Real Sociedad, they didn't end up doing it and he went to Newcastle.

"Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of his and I think in an ideal world if they had their pick of strikers and money wasn't a factor I do think Arsenal would seriously consider going for him. But finances are an issue and he's goig to cost a hell of a lot of money and he has spent a lot of time out injured."

Will Arsenal sign Alexander Isak?

Arsenal are clearly keen on Isak, but whether or not they actually go through with signing the striker is another matter.

Indeed, while Isak is a top player, there are some drawbacks here.

As Ornstein says, Isak would cost a lot of money, so that has to be considered, while Arsenal have concerns about Isak's injury record too.

The stats do show that Isak would be an upgrade on what Arsenal have.

Isak may be available in the January transfer window as Newcastle continue to struggle in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, but it's hard to see Arsenal making this move next month.

As things stand, Arsenal aren't planning any major signings in January, so this may be one that has to wait until the summer.

Isak is certainly a player to keep an eye on as we head into 2025 as big clubs will come sniffing if Newcastle don't qualify for Europe next season.