Arsenal given Alexander Isak transfer 'guarantee' before Kylian Mbappe deal impact

Theo Walcott has urged Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak before Real Madrid begin looking for solutions to their disjointed frontline. The 25-year-old striker was heavily linked with an exit from Newcastle United in the summer following his impressive performances in the Premier League.

Last season, Isak featured 30 times in the English top-flight, netting 21 goals, with only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer managing to score more. This term, the Sweden international has continued to play a crucial role in Eddie Howe's side, helping the Magpies climb up to eight in the table.

Before Isak was sidelined with a toe injury, he had fired Newcastle up to fifth. He's since returned from the treatment room, scoring three goals in his last four outings, reigniting the Magpies' pursuit of a Champions League qualification place.

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While the Swede's contract at St. James' Park doesn't expire until June 2028, Newcastle are under pressure to extend his deal. Speaking to BBC Sport, Walcott stressed that the Tyneside outfit must tie Isak down 'pretty quickly'.

"When you talk about the mould for the ultimate build of a perfect striker, Isak has got all of those elements," said the former Arsenal forward. "I am not saying he is perfect yet, but he has got all the attributes he needs to become perfect.

"Whether that will happen at Newcastle, I don't know. But they need to tie him down pretty quickly otherwise they are going to lose him. Isak is the sort of player Arsenal genuinely need, but you would say everyone needs a player like him in their team right now."

Walcott added: "Even Liverpool, and it is not just Premier League teams who will be trying to get hold of him either. Look at Real Madrid’s line-up at this moment in time. They go for these Galacticos and buy these incredible talents, but they sometimes put them in positions where they can’t quite do it.

"I would say that if you put Isak in that Real team then he moulds them together in a different way, where you might think they now look like a very well-balanced team. That’s the level he's at, and I can absolutely understand why all the very top teams would want him."

Despite signing Kylian Mbappe in the summer, Real Madrid have struggled to impress this season. According to the Daily Mail last month, if Newcastle don't qualify for the Champions League for next season then Isak will 'explore' a move away, with Arsenal ready to pounce.

The report states that there are 'doubts' in his camp over the speed of the project in Tyneside. It's said that there were preliminary discussions towards the end of last season, but the striker and his entourage were reluctant to commit further.

The Daily Mail added that the Gunners would 'most likely' be prepared to break the British transfer record on Isak.