Barcelona turn to Arsenal target as they expect Man Utd to sign £65m star

Barcelona have turned their attentions to Arsenal’s top target Alexander Isak as they expect Manchester United to win the race for Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports in Spain. The La Liga giants are expected to sign a new No. 9 this summer to replace Robert Lewandowski, who will be 37 by the time the 2026-27 season begins. Poland legend Lewandoswki continues to impress at the Nou Camp, scoring 31 goals in 33 games this season and 90 in 128 since joining the club, but Barcelona have one eye on the future and want to bring in a new striker.

Barca are enjoying an exciting season under Hansi Flick and will leapfrog Madrid rivals Real and Atletico and go top of La Liga if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday night. Barcelona have also impressed in Europe, finishing second in the revamped Champions League group phase to automatically qualify for the knockout stages. Replacing modern-day great Lewandowski will not be easy and Mundo Deportivo say Newcastle United striker Isak has emerged as the club’s first-choice target.

Isak has impressed at St James’ Park since his 2022 move from La Liga side Real Sociedad but has taken his game to another level this season, netting 17 goals in 22 league games. The Sweden international is believed to be a dream transfer target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is desperate to sign a new striker. Arsenal expressed interest in bringing Isak to the Emirates Stadium in January but were priced out of a move by Newcastle, who value the player at over £100m.

Arteta subsequently sanctioned a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins but will happily revive his interest in Isak if Newcastle indicate a summer sale is possible. Barcelona have also been linked with fellow Swedish ace Gyokeres but are prioritising Isak as they believe the former is ‘destined’ for Manchester United. United, also in desperate need for attacking reinforcements, were known admirers of Gyokeres even before his former Sporting Lisbon manager took over at Old Trafford in November.

But it has becoming increasingly apparently that Manchester United will need to dip into the market for a new striker as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee continue to struggle in front of goal. Gyokeres has been in sensational form in Portugal, scoring 77 goals in 86 games for Sporting since being signed from Championship side Coventry City. It is claimed Jonathan David, Lille’s Canadian forward, is another option for Barcelona if they cannot sign Isak and lose the race for Gyokeres.

Last week, ex-England midfielder Paul Scholes expressed his doubt over Arsenal signing Isak, suggesting he is ‘bigger and better’ than the Gunners. ‘Everyone loves him but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal,’ Scholes said on The Overlap with Sky Bet. ‘He needs to go bigger and better. ‘We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I think Arsenal would be an option but I think they would be down the list of options.

‘I don’t mean that in a bad way but he’s at Newcastle, a really good team, a brilliant team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the next stage of his career. ‘I think it would be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the same thing. Liverpool have got a much better chance, Man City and Real Madrid the same. ‘I think his sights should be higher than Arsenal. He is a player Man United would be looking at but in the position we’re in now… it’s not going to happen.’.