Newcastle star Alexander Isak has been heavily linked with Arsenal in recent weeks (Picture: Getty)
Former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara says Arsenal should ‘go all out’ to sign Alexander Isak and believes the striker has the quality to steer the club to a Premier League title.
Despite struggling with two separate groin injuries this season, Isak has enjoyed an excellent campaign and is Newcastle’s top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions.
However, speculation has been swirling over Isak’s future, with Arsenal and Tottenham said to be plotting £100million bids to lure the 24-year-old attacker away from St James’ Park in the summer transfer window.
Howe has repeatedly stressed that Isak is not for sale and it’s understood the Magpies are ready to offer Isak a new and improved contract to prevent the forward’s head from being turned.
But Isak continues to be heavily linked with the Gunners and O’Hara feels the Sweden international could be the perfect addition up front – likening the attacker to Thierry Henry.
‘I would go all out and try and sign Isak,’ the former Spurs star said on Sky Sports News.
‘I don’t know if the situation changes at Newcastle with maybe the new rules coming in, but if they do need to sell then I would go and spend £100m on Isak. He’s going to get you a Premier League title.
O’Hara believes Isak could steer Arsenal to the Premier League title (Picture: Getty)
‘If you get him in at Arsenal… he reminds me very much of Thierry Henry.
‘I’m not saying he’s as good as him but he’s very much in the same ilk in the way he plays and everything he’s got.
‘I look at him and think: if you could get him out of Newcastle then he would be the one player I would sign.’
Arsenal will prioritise signing a centre-forward in the summer (Picture: Getty)
O’Hara is confident Arsenal are ‘not going to be far off’ winning the Premier League title next season if they are pipped to the post by Manchester City this term.
‘One thing I would say is that if they don’t do it [win the title] this year, I think next season, obviously they’re going to have another transfer window, they’re going to look to sign some players, their recruitment has been really good… they’re not going to be far off it,’ O’Hara added.
‘They will kick themselves with a few results this season, maybe the Aston Villa one at home that they lost.
Jesus and Nketiah have struggled for goals this season (Picture: Getty)
‘I think they drew with Fulham and there have been games where they’ve had like 30 shots and maybe not won the game.
‘So I think they will kick themselves sometimes but in the summer they’re going to go out and buy a striker.
‘They’re going to buy more players who can make a difference.’
Isak has been in fine form for the Toon this season (Picture: Getty)
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Alan Shearer demanded that Newcastle do everything in their power to keep hold of Isak, claiming it would be ‘absolutely bonkers’ to cash in on the Swede.
‘He’s very good. He’s a very, very good player,’ Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer – said.
‘He’s a modern day forward… do you know the trend now, rather than centre-forward, he’s a forward. He’s a brilliant example of that.
‘He’s had one or two injuries this season but whilst he’s been on the pitch he has been absolutely magnificent.
‘He’s brilliant at running in behind because he’s quick and once he’s away you’re not catching him.
‘He’s also very clever at coming short and dragging defenders in with them, therefore leaving space in behind. He’s a very clever, intelligent player and he’s got great ability.
‘They’re sat on a great asset and it would be absolutely bonkers if Newcastle, for whatever reason, sold him in the summer.’
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