The hidden reason why Newcastle may refuse to sell players to Arsenal as Gunners abandon bid for 'top target'

There's one reason why Newcastle may refuse to sell players to Arsenal, and it's resulted in the Gunners abandoning their pursuit of a top target.

Arsenal are looking to strengthen this summer after Mikel Arteta's side were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City last season.

The Gunners have brought in Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in a deal worth £42 million, while negotiations with Real Sociedad for the transfer of midfielder Mikel Merino are ongoing.

Arteta also wants a new attacker, after neither Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz convinced up front last season.

With Arsenal earning at least £27m in pure profit from the sale of academy graduate Emile Smith-Rowe to Fulham and with Eddie Nketiah also likely to leave, there should be a decent budget available for a striker.

Several targets were identified months ago, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak among the top ones.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, they have had to abandon their interest in the 24-year-old as it looks like the Magpies will not do any business with them.

According to The Independent's chief football writer Miguel Delaney, there has been tension between the two clubs' hierarchies due to Arsenal's attitude towards state-owned clubs.

Some Arsenal executives "have been at the forefront of moves within the Premier League to restrict the potential financial power of Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City and Saudi Arabian-owned Newcastle."

That has led to colder relationships at boardroom level, making negotiations over potential transfers much more difficult.

In May The Independent reported that Arsenal did not want to get into a draw-out saga and would move on from Isak if it looked like that would be the case.

Arteta is now said to be exploring other options, including Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. Ivan Toney was under consideration but Brentford's £100m asking price put the brakes on any kind of pursuit.