Arsenal handed huge blow in £150m Alexander Isak pursuit

Newcastle United's £150m asking price for striker Alexander Isak is expected to be enough to prevent Arsenal from pursuing a transfer, a report has claimed.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a long-time admirer of Isak and was on the receiving end of the Swede's 15th goal in all competitions this season when Newcastle left the Emirates with a 2-0 advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in midweek.

Well aware of Isak's quality, Newcastle have challenged any interested sides to break the British transfer record to sign the 25-year-old, who is valued at a whopping £150m.

Arsenal are not believed to be in immediate danger of breaching the Premier League's financial rules but there is a fear that such a significant outlay on one player could severely hamper their chances of staying within the regulations going forwards.

Unless there is a major departure from Arteta's squad, there is unlikely to be enough money in the transfer budget to recruit Isak.

Striker Gabriel Jesus will be made available for transfer in the summer, with defender Oleksandr Zinchenko possibly heading out the door even sooner, but neither will raise the required funds to make a move for Isak possible.

Newcastle want to keep Isak, who has publicly stressed his happiness at St James' Park, but the Magpies are unable to compete with the finances available at other clubs because of financial concerns and may need to qualify for the Champions League to ensure Isak remains happy.

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