Alexander Isak, a 22-year-old Real Sociedad striker, is the subject of a fierce transfer war between Barcelona and Arsenal, with the Gunners now dominating the race to capture him.

In a report by Catalan newspaper El Nacional, it is said that Arsenal and Barcelona are the main candidates to recruit Alexander Isak during the summer transfer window, with the Gunners being in pole position to do so. In his Real Sociedad contract, the 22-year-old striker has a €90m release clause that may be exercised.

Alexander Isak joined Real Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in July of 2019 and has progressed tremendously since his arrival. The Swedish international is now largely considered as one of the greatest young attackers in La Liga, and he is a regular fixture for both his club and his country.

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Since joining Real Sociedad in 2019, the 22-year-old has made 110 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing seven assists in the process. Isak’s growth has not gone unnoticed, with several of Europe’s most powerful teams, like Barcelona and Arsenal, expressing an interest in signing him shortly.

It is the signing of Erling Haaland that Barcelona has set as its top objective for the summer transfer season. As a result of the interest shown by many other European clubs in the Borussia Dortmund front, Barcelona will need to keep their options open when looking for attackers after the season’s conclusion, with Isak appearing as one such possibility.

The desire to recruit a striker for the second consecutive summer is a result of Sergio Aguero’s untimely exit from the league. Due to a cardiac condition that prohibits him from returning to the pitch, the Argentine icon has been forced to retire from football. Aguero’s absence means that Xavi Hernandez is left with just Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong as natural centre-forwards at his disposal, with Martin Braithwaite being the more experienced of the two.

The fact that neither striker is a solid regular option means that Barcelona must invest in a striker who can serve as a long-term answer at the heart of their offensive formation. Isak is a feasible target for Barcelona, who will face heavy competition from Arsenal in the battle to acquire the 22-year-old to achieve this goal.

Who is in the pole position?

Arsenal’s interest is logical, given the possibility that Alexandre Lacazette may leave the club as a free agent in the summer. As a result of Mikel Arteta’s decision to remove Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as captain, the striker has been locked out of the first-team picture. As a result, recruiting a striker is a top priority for Arsenal, with Isak being a particular aim.

Because Isak has a €90 million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract, bringing in the Swedish international will not be cheap for the club. However, La Real may be willing to accept a lesser offer as well, despite their apprehension about negotiating with La Liga rivals Barcelona. As a result of this development, Arsenal has moved into first place in the competition to sign Isak.

As a result, the only way Barcelona will be able to sign Isak is if they exercise their €90 million purchase option on him. According to current indications, the 22-year-old will only join Arsenal if he departs Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window.