Arsenal 'approach Alexander Isak over possible summer move'

Arsenal have made their first move to bring Sweden striker Alexander Isak to the Emirates next season after contacting his representatives.

However, any potential deal would require Isak's club Real Sociedad waiving the 22-year-old's exorbitant £76million release clause, according to Sport.

The Gunners are desperately seeking more reinforcements up front after cutting ties with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Barcelona last month.

The north London club were frustrated after being beaten to the signature of Dusan Vlahovic, who joined Juventus from Fiorentina.

Arsenal also let Joe Willock join Newcastle, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract at the end of the season.

Several names are said to be on Mikel Arteta's striker shortlist, but Isak remains somewhere near the top. But Sport claims the Gunners believe Isak's release clause to be an 'out-of-market price' that must be lowered.

Isak enjoyed a breakout season with Sociedad last campaign, scoring 17 goals in 34 LaLiga appearances. He also shone for Sweden at the European Championships last summer.

But Arsenal are far from the only club looking to secure Isak's services, and he is believed to have a preference for joining Barca.

The Catalan giants, however, are focused on signing Erling Haaland, with Isak considered a plan B should they fail to get the Norwegian superstar.

That indicates Arsenal could have a strong chance of getting Isak.

Haaland, though, who has scored 16 goals in 14 Bundesliga games, has a release clause of £68m set to come into force this summer.

This suggests Arsenal may have a point over paying potentially £8m more for Isak, who has scored just four goals in 20 league games this season.

Other forwards said to be on Arteta's radar include Inter's Lautaro Martinez and Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.