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Arsene Wenger's dream Arsenal signing revealed for summer transfer window
Arsene Wenger's dream Arsenal signing revealed for summer transfer window

Metro

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Metro

Arsene Wenger's dream Arsenal signing revealed for summer transfer window

Arsene Wenger has named the one player he'd sign for Arsenal this summer if he was still working as the club's manager. Wenger was in charge of the Gunners from 1996 to 2018, becoming the club's longest serving and most successful Arsenal boss in history. The 75-year-old Frenchman is no longer in management and works as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development instead. But if he was in Mikel Arteta's shoes, Wenger would be doing everything he could to land a 'ruthless' Premier League star in the transfer window… Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has revealed Wenger's dream Arsenal signing to be Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. 'I had a dinner with Arsene Wenger, a charity dinner, about three weeks ago,' the ex-England international told his Seaman Says podcast. 'I asked him that question. I said, 'You're the boss, who would you sign this summer?' – Isak, he said, as quick as that.' Arsenal have long been huge admirers of Isak – but there are unlikely to be able to bring him to the Emirates – given Newcastle reportedly want £150m to even enter negotiations over a possible sale. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has always spoken highly of Isak and singled out his 'ruthless' mentality last month after a 1-1 draw against Brighton. 'He's got that ruthless mentality to scoring goals,' Howe said. 'And that's where you really lean on those type of players. 'To have the coolness of mind to just take a step back and go, 'right, this is what I need to do' and deliver it for the team.' Isak scored 23 goals across 34 Premier League games for Newcastle in the 2024-25 campaign and also provided six assists. Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant has urged Arsenal to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins if the club cannot bring Isak to north London. 'Arsenal do need a striker,' Pennant told 'If they've got the money, get Isak. More Trending 'But I think they should go back into the market for Ollie Watkins. I think he would be great. 'Everyone wants Isak, that's obvious. But if they can't splash £150m on him, then go and get Watkins. 'He's got an eye for goal, he's got pace, he's an international and I think he would work well in [Mikel] Arteta's system. 'He can link up play. He's got it all, to be fair to him, and it'll be cut-price compared to Isak.' MORE: Arsenal told to block Mikel Arteta's 'crazy' transfer move for Man Utd target MORE: Napoli eager to sign second Man Utd star after Alejandro Garnacho interest MORE: Chelsea consider move to sign West Ham star with £85m release clause

'I asked Arsene Wenger who he'd sign at Arsenal – he instantly had name in mind'
'I asked Arsene Wenger who he'd sign at Arsenal – he instantly had name in mind'

Daily Mirror

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Daily Mirror

'I asked Arsene Wenger who he'd sign at Arsenal – he instantly had name in mind'

Arsene Wenger was quick to name Newcastle star Alexander Isak as the player he would like to see Arsenal sign this summer, according to Gunners icon David Seaman Legendary ex- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger quickly singled out Newcastle frontman Alexander Isak as a star the Gunners should sign this window. Arsenal once again wrapped up an impressive yet trophyless season under Mikel Arteta's stewardship, finishing second in the Premier League behind Arne Slot's dynamic Liverpool while failing to clinch silverware in any cup tournaments. Now, with a pivotal summer beckoning, their gaze shifts toward strengthening their attacking options. For the first time since 1924, not a single Arsenal player hit the 10-goal milestone in the league, with Kai Havertz falling just shy at nine. ‌ Therefore, the hunt for a reliable No. 9 has become a pressing concern for Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta in the upcoming transfer window. ‌ While there's been chatter about potential moves for sharpshooters like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, Wenger pinpointed Newcastle's talisman Isak during a conversation with the club's celebrated goalkeeper David Seaman. Appearing on his Seaman Says podcast, brought to you by Betway, the ex-Arsenal man shed light on a recent exchange with Wenger at a charity dinner, where he probed the Frenchman for insight into who should be targeted in the transfer market. "I had a dinner with Arsene Wenger, a charity dinner, about three weeks ago, and I asked him that question. I said, 'You're the boss, who would you sign this summer?'" relayed Seaman. "'Isak,' he said, as quick as that." Ian Wright chipped in when Wenger's sentiment was revealed, adding: "Exactly. It's not being disrespectful to them (Newcastle), but he is brilliant." However, snaring the 25-year-old Swede is far from straightforward. Back in May, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe laid down the law, asserting that Isak is not for sale. ‌ "He's not for sale from my perspective," Howe declared. "I want to build a squad, I want the strongest squad possible for next season. There is a lot to look forward to here, hopefully. The end of the season is crucial for us. "I think that we have a strong squad and, if we can add players for the first time in a few windows, that will make a massive, massive difference for us. "That's what I'm focusing on, not the other way around. We want to keep our best players. I think I've made that very clear. That's not just the wish from me, that's the wish from everyone at the club." ‌ While Howe's intention to hold onto key players was clear, he refused to give a cast-iron guarantee when quizzed a few weeks later whether Isak - reportedly valued at over £150million - will remain at Newcastle after the window closes: "I never make those guarantees about any player. "It's not to do with Alex's future, I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that. We want to keep our strongest players. I have said that as long as I've sat in this seat." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

'If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant': Arsenal legend says Alexander Isak would be tailor-made for the Gunners
'If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant': Arsenal legend says Alexander Isak would be tailor-made for the Gunners

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

'If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant': Arsenal legend says Alexander Isak would be tailor-made for the Gunners

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Alexander Isak has been continuously linked with a move to Arsenal. | Credit: Getty Images Alexander Isak has been described as a 'brilliant' fit for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team. Isak, ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now, has been a revelation since his move to Newcastle United in 2022, having now scored 62 goals in just 109 appearances for the Magpies. Advertisement Arguably one of the best centre forwards in Europe, the Gunners have been continuously linked with a move for the Sweden international, but are said to have cooled their interest earlier this year, much to the dismay of one ex-Arsenal hero. Why Alexander Isak is PERFECT for Arsenal yet still so out of reach Alexander Isak is valued by Newcastle United at around £150m | Credit: Getty Images For now, Arsenal look set to explore other striker options which include this likes of Viktor Gyokeres and fellow long-term target Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. Having discussed all three, one man who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net for Arsenal believes Isak's Premier League experience already sets him apart the rest. Benjamin Sesko is another striker option Arsenal have been pursuing | Credit:"It's tough simply because there aren't many options out there and the ones that are out there, everyone is looking for," said Ian Wright when speaking to Betway recently. Advertisement "I'm seeing Šeško, Gyökeres – Isak is probably someone who isn't going anywhere now. If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant. "I think we need another forward too," continued Wright when asked about Arsenal's summer plans. "Bukayo Saka is amazing but if we can get him more rest time, that will only benefit our club. We need another forward who can either play on the right or the left, alongside a Number 9. Would also love us to get a back-up centre back. Myles Lewis Skelley has probably got the left-back slot. "I don't know what is happening with Partey although (Martin) Zubimendi looks to be coming in. So, if we can strengthen defence, midfield and the forward line – but with two up front, with one of them as a Number 9 – then I would be happy with four players coming in." Ian Wright says Arsenal should be looking to strengthen in all areas this summer | Credit: Getty Images In FourFourTwo's opinion, Wright is correct to point out how good Isak would be at Arsenal, but we cannot see why or how Newcastle would sell the talented forward, especially to a direct Premier League rival. With continuing murmurings suggesting Gyokeres is edging closer to a move to the Emirates, he may present better value, and his record in Portugal speaks for itself.

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