Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak this summer – even though he believes the Newcastle United star would cost as much as £100m signing Declan Rice.
While Arsenal have mounted back-to-back Premier League title challenges under Mikel Arteta, the north Londoners acknowledge that more backing in the transfer market will be needed to keep pace with Manchester City and stay ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle.
The Gunners spent over £200m on new signings last summer, bringing Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to the Emirates Stadium as well as England midfielder Rice, who became the club’s record signing following his move from West Ham.
Parlour believes Arsenal may need to match Rice’s £100m fee this summer as he urged his former club to prise Isak away from Newcastle in order to solve their striker issues.
Isak, 24, has been one of the most impressive and exciting players in the Premier League over the past two seasons, scoring 34 goals for Newcastle.
‘Isak is the type of player who could do well in this Arsenal team,’ Gunners legend Parlour told Football FanCast on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting.
‘He will suit Arsenal’s fluid style of play and can do well in this team with the likes of [Bukayo] Saka, [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Kai] Havertz, [Leandro] Trossard and [Martin] Odegaard supporting him.
‘It’s important to have quality strikers as we had in our era with Wiltord, Kanu, Henry and Bergkamp. However, Newcastle will not want to lose their top striker.
‘Fee wise, he will be similar to Rice’s fee, so if Newcastle are forced to sell, then yes he would take Arsenal forward. Isak is a player I like a lot.’
Parlour believes Isak can emulate Rice, who has hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium following his big-money move from West Ham last summer.
Rice has been arguably Arteta’s most important player this term, playing all but one of Arsenal’s Premier League games to help the Gunners rival Manchester City for the title.
Parlour added: ‘If you look at the signing of Rice, he is exactly what the team needed when Granit Xhaka left and he has taken the club to another level.
‘Declan has been a top signing for Arsenal and it’s great he is still playing at such a high level when it matters most at the business end of the season.
‘His energy is great, he plays every game, his goal against Bournemouth typifies his drive and energy during the game.
‘He deserves to be up there for PFA Player of the Season. It was a big move for him and he’s settled immediately into this team.’
Arsenal, sitting one point above Man City having played a game more, visit Manchester United this weekend before finishing the season with a home match against Everton.
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