Arsenal set to splash cash on Premier League duo after Champions League exit

Arsenal will look to sign a striker and a winger this summer following their Champions League exit, with two Premier League stars said to figure high on the club’s shortlist.

Mikel Arteta’s side have endured a difficult week, first suffering a devastating home loss to Aston Villa which allowed Manchester City to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League, before losing to Bayern Munich in Europe.

The Gunners have won just twice in their last six games across all competitions, failing to score in three of those matches, while a host of their players have seen performances and fitness levels decline in recent weeks.

READ MORE: How Mikel Arteta needs to change to break Arsenal April curse

Despite the collapse, Arsenal’s owners are thought to recognise that Arteta’s squad needs significant strengthening to reach their goals, according to The Guardian.

Consequently, the club will look towards improvements in attack, with Michael Olise of Crystal Palace and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak believed to be among the primary targets.

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic are also believed to be considered as alternatives but the priority will be Isak, although a deal could prove difficult to conduct.

Olise more likely to be available than Isak for Arsenal

Isak has established himself as one of the standout strikers in the Premier League since joining Newcastle for €70 million in 2022, with the 24-year-old scoring 27 goals in 46 games.

The Swedish forward has long-been admired by Arsenal and had been a target for the club while he was at Real Sociedad, however there was a reluctance to meet his €90m release clause at the time.

READ MORE: 10 players who could join Arsenal this summer

Newcastle, however, have no intention of selling Isak despite their need to sell players in order to strengthen, with the striker still having four years remaining on his contract, and a bid of more than €130m will likely be required to even open negotiations.

Olise, meanwhile, could be a simpler signing for Arsenal despite the 22-year-old renewing his contract at Crystal Palace in August, due to the fact that his new deal is understood to contain a release clause of around £65m (€76m.)

Arsenal see the winger as a serviceable alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right flank and the player himself would be keen on the move, having played for Arsenal’s academy as a youngster.

But Arsenal will face significant competition to sign Olise, with Manchester City and Manchester United among the sides also said to be interested.