Arsenal may have a major advantage over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the pursuit of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
The Gunners were constantly linked with a move for Isak during the January transfer window, with fans even theorising that he was close to completing a move after the Swedish international was spotted in London alongside teammate Adnan Januzaj before the youngster confirmed that the trip was merely a holiday, crushing supporters' dreams in the process.
Now, both United and the Blues are keen on the 22-year-old, according to the Mirror, who claim that the former see him as a long-term replacement for Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the north Londoners may have one trick up their sleeve in the pursuit of the former Borussia Dortmund star given his self-proclaimed best friend Martin Odegaard currently plies his trade at the Emirates Stadium.
The pair spent the 2019/20 campaign together at the Reale Arena when Odegaard enjoyed a productive loan spell with the La Liga outfit and Isak previously admitted that the Scandinavian duo thrive when playing together.
"We have a very good contact and thrive well together. He is natural that he will be my best friend on the team. He was well known as a cult to have him on the same," Isak said back in 2019.
Still, Isak, who has a £75million release clause in his current contract at Sociedad refused to discuss a potential move to Mikel Arteta's side last week.
When asked about the north Londoners' interest, he told Mundo Deportivo: "I am not talking about other clubs.
"I am a Real player, I work here and this is my club. My work is on the pitch, and as I told you before, there are other people who work outside."
Asked if he is likely to stay with Sociedad, the young frontman replied: "You can never be sure of anything.
"As I always say, you never know what can happen in football but in the end I’m here, happy, and nothing more."
