Liverpool may have just been handed big Alexander Isak boost after David Ornstein transfer update - opinion
03/31/2025 04:00 AM
Liverpool and Arsenal will finally renew their battle for the Premier League title this midweek.
Despite having a rough week before the international break in March, the Reds headed into the final pause of the season 12 points clear of their title rivals.
Although things are not quite done yet, it would take an almighty Liverpool collapse to let Arsenal back into it now.
From there, the Reds are expected to spend significantly to improve the squad and kick on for a repeat next season.
For Arsenal, introspection will be needed after a third year of coming up short in the Premier League. They’ll need to bolster their own squad again too.
More than anything, both teams could really do with a new central striker to give them that little bit more firepower next season. As a result, reports have claimed that Alexander Isak is a prime target for Arsenal and Liverpool. But as the race begins to heat up, the Gunners may have just handed the advantage over.
Arsenal targeting Viktor Gyokeres
If either Liverpool or Arsenal want Isak this summer then they’re going to have to pay for him.
There remains a feeling that Champions League qualification may be the key to whether the Swede is available at all. But if he is, Isak is going to cost something close to £150m.
Given the question marks over his availability, both the Reds and the Gunners should prepare a fall-back option. For Arsenal, that looks like being Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
As per journalist David Ornstein on Sunday evening, Mikel Arteta’s team are ‘developing strong interest’ in Gyokeres ahead of a summer move.
Ornstein goes on to say that Gyokeres is possibly seen as being more ‘realistic’ a signing than Isak.
Given that the 26-year-old is likely to cost somewhere close to £60m this summer, there’s clearly no chance of Arsenal signing both Swedish strikers. As a result, Liverpool may just be feeling ever so slightly more confident of landing their man.
Liverpool new front-runners for Alexander Isak?
Obviously, Arsenal can target two players at the same time and it still seems as though Isak will be their priority if at all possible.
However, blinking first and going public on the interest in Gyokeres may be a sign that they are just taking their eye off the Newcastle man ever so slightly.
| Alexander Isak | Viktor Gyokeres | |
| Appearances | 33 | 42 |
| Goals | 23 | 42 |
| Assists | 5 | 10 |
| Total Sweden Caps | 52 | 26 |
| Total Sweden Goals | 16 | 15 |
In a high-stakes transfer battle such as this, that could be all Liverpool need to edge ahead.
In the event that Isak is then looking for a way out of St James’ Park this summer, the Reds will benefit from having lasted the course, while Arsenal are preoccupied with Gyokeres.
Liverpool have been linked with Gyokeres too, of course, and if Isak ends up staying at Newcastle then Arsenal will look smart for turning to the former Coventry man early doors.
But the Reds should be holding onto the not unreasonable hope that they can now get a free run at their top target without interference from the Emirates.
