Arsenal given 'crazy' Alexander Isak transfer verdict amid Premier League record fee rumours

Alan Shearer says Newcastle would be "crazy" to sell Alexander Isak in January, amid longstanding links to Arsenal.

A number of strikers have been linked with a move to the Gunners over the last year or two; from the likes of Victor Osimhen, Jonathan David and Isak to more recent rumours surrounding Viktor Gyokeres' future. One stumbling block for many of them will likely be the price of any deal.

Gyokeres has a release clause in the region of £84million, though rumours suggest Sporting will be willing to negotiate for slightly less for the striker they signed from Coventry City in the summer of 2023 for £20million.

READ MORE: Arsenal's triple January transfer plan to pip Liverpool to Premier League title after Arteta meeting

READ MORE: Arsenal scrap Martin Zubimendi transfer plan for £45.8m Man City and Liverpool target

Isak, meanwhile, will naturally command a big fee with Newcastle seeing him as a key man after agreeing a deal in the range of £64million for the striker back in 2022. He has since proven himself in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals in the division last season.

However, former Newcastle captain - and all-time Premier League leading goalscorer - Shearer says that Newcastle should not sell Isak even if they receive a bid worth £115million for the striker - what would be an English record signing after Moises Caicedo's move to Chelsea.

"There have been reports this week that Newcastle would be willing to take £115million for Alexander Isaak in January. For me, it’s a no," Shearer told Betfair. "Unless they have a like-for-like, world class replacement ready to come in then it would be crazy to sell him in January and I don't think they will. It's not a viable option.

"Clearly there's cash available if they were bidding for Marc Guehi but I don't know if that would've meant selling one of the big-hitters in the summer. I don't like the PSR rules and I don't think they're fair or right but that's the situation we're in.

"Newcastle are having an up and down season, the international break came at the wrong time because they had a bit of momentum, were getting results and they didn't need the break. They didn't need players flying here, there and everywhere. Clearly that impacted them against West Ham because after 10/15 minutes, they were nowhere near as good as what they have been in the past month."