Paul Merson has stated that if Chelsea signs Alexander Isak, a target for Arsenal, before the transfer deadline, they will guarantee Champions League football for the upcoming campaign and go to “the next level.”
Chelsea has lost since mid-December and now faces a difficult battle to finish in the top four after spending the majority of the season competing head-to-head with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Enzo Marecsa’s team has dropped to sixth place in the league, one point outside the top four and almost 16 points behind Liverpool, after winning only one of their last seven league games, losing to Fulham and Ipswich Town in the process.
Chelsea have endured a subdued January transfer window but there is still time for the club to bolster Maresca’s squad before the deadline on Monday night.
Along with several Premier League opponents, Chelsea has shown interest in acquiring Argentina’s Alejandro Garnacho, a winger for Manchester United, and is still in the running for Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich.
Merson thinks Chelsea would go to “the next level” and virtually ensure a top-four finish with the surprise acquisition of Isak from Newcastle United.
Merson believes the Sweden international has the ability to lead the Gunners to Premier League triumph. Isak, who has scored 18 goals in his previous 19 games, has been strongly linked to a move to Arsenal in January.
Eddie Howe, the manager of the Magpies, is hesitant to part with Isak, and the owners of St. James’ Park have set an asking price of over £100 million for the striker.
“We’re discussing Alexander Isak, who is currently the league’s best center-forward,” Merson told Sportskeeda. His objectives and contributions have been very remarkable, he added.
‘The thing with Isak is that he is consistently good. Some players score 10 goals in 10 games and there would have been two hat-tricks in there.’
‘But Isak is someone who scores in every single game and that makes him the best out there. ‘There is no doubt that all the top clubs will want to sign him.
With Financial Fair Play (FFP) also coming into the picture, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle can hold on to him.
I would be surprised if Arsenal didn’t win the Premier League if they bought Isak. Chelsea will also advance to the following level and secure a spot in the top four.
In the latter stages of the transfer window, Arsenal looked to another Premier League striker, despite Mikel Arteta’s well-known admiration for Isak.
The Gunners are thinking of making a better proposal after Aston Villa rejected their initial offer for England international Ollie Watkins.
“I personally think Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins was just a farce!” Merson continued in response to Arsenal’s move for Watkins, saying, “They knew they aren’t getting him for that money and they just put in the offer to show the fans they’re trying.”
“Watkins would be an outstanding signing for Arsenal though. He ticks all the boxes. Don’t worry about him being 29. The here and now is what matters most.”
“If Arsenal gets Watkins, they can win the league this year or maybe in the next. So they shouldn’t be worried about where he will be in four years.”
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