Arsenal handed Alexander Isak transfer headache to add to Dusan Vlahovic problems

ARSENAL were the biggest spenders in the Premier League over the summer.

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Arsenal's bid to find a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set to drag on, with reports suggesting that their chances of signing Alexander Isak have been dealt a setback. Isak is considered one of the main alternatives to Arsenal's No 1 option Dusan Vlahovic.

Aubameyang was stripped of his captaincy in early December after reporting late to training, with a string of disciplinary issues having plagued his time at the club since signing in January 2018.

The Gabonese international has scored just four league goals for the Gunners this season in what is his worst season yet in a red shirt.

He looks set to depart from the Emirates after a four-year spell amassing 92 goals in 163 games.

But the French-born star's long-term replacement is unclear, despite Arsenal's continued interest in Vlahovic and Isak.

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Isak

Alexander Isak could be in line for a move to Barcelona (Image: GETTY)

Reports emerged early on in the window that the Gunners were interested in Vlahovic who is valued at around £70million, though the 21-year-old is said to be not completely convinced by the long-term prospects of the club.

If the Serbian was to reject a move to Arsenal, the Londoners would reportedly turn their attention to Isak, who has scored just four goals in 17 league games this season.

But according to Spanish outlet Sport, the Swede prefers a move to Barcelona to join new boss Xavi - and that could see Arsenal miss out on one of their main back-up options to Vlahovic.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are adequate options for now, although their contracts are expiring at the end of the season.

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As it stands, if Lacazette and Nketiah leave, with Aubameyang also expected to depart, that would leave Arsenal with only the inexperienced Folarin Balogun going into the new season.

Therefore a deal for a quality first-team striker is top of the agenda, as Arsenal try to bring in a new centre-forward this month.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is expecting some activity in the winter window, having recently admitted that some "activity" will be occuring.

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Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Image: GETTY)

Whether that will involve a striker however is a different question.

“We are expecting some activity because there are some players and a few loans that hopefully we have to complete,” he said.

“But it depends. It’s – as we all know – a very complicated market, and it’s a short window. We will see what happens.”

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