Chelsea and Arsenal prepare summer battle for Swedish striker valued at £115m

Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to acquire Newcastle United's prolific striker Alexander Isak, with both London clubs eyeing a summer move. Newcastle United have placed a £115 million price tag on their Swedish forward, signalling a potentially high-stakes transfer battle ahead, according to TEAMtalk.

Chelsea's strategic move

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca seeks to strengthen his attacking options, with Isak emerging as a top priority for the upcoming transfer window. While the Blues previously considered Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, they kept faith in Nicolas Jackson, who has impressed with seven goals and three assists in 12 league appearances this season.

The club's recruitment team has also kept tabs on Brighton's Evan Ferguson and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap. However, Isak's proven Premier League experience and adaptable playing style have made him Maresca's preferred choice, leading Chelsea to explore transfer possibilities.

Newcastle's position and future plans

The 25-year-old Swedish international has maintained solid form this season, contributing four goals and two assists in nine Premier League matches. However, Isak's concerns about Newcastle's Champions League prospects have created uncertainty around his future at St James' Park, despite the team's growth under Eddie Howe's leadership.

Recent contract negotiations between Newcastle and Isak have stalled, though his current deal runs until 2028. The club has already identified Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres as a potential replacement should Isak leave, showing their preparedness for different scenarios.

London rivalry intensifies

Arsenal's interest stems from their need to boost attacking firepower, with Gabriel Jesus struggling to score in league matches and Kai Havertz limited to four goals. The Gunners see Isak as the solution to their scoring challenges and plan to compete strongly with Chelsea for his signature.

The £115 million valuation set by Newcastle would require both London clubs to break their transfer records. With Chelsea maintaining interest in multiple targets and Arsenal focused on strengthening their forward line, the competition for Isak promises to create one of next summer's most significant transfer stories.