Manchester United have identified Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to stunning reports.
Ronaldo, 37, made his sensational return to Old Trafford last summer and has scored 14 times in 24 appearances in his second spell for United.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is under contract until 2023 (with an option to extend), but Ronaldo’s future at United has been plunged into doubt.
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According to reports, Ronaldo could ask for his exit from the Red Devils if United fail to secure Champions League football next season.
Isak has impressed at Sociedad after leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and during Sweden’s Euro 2020 campaign last summer.
The 22-year-old Swedish striker was in superb form last season and scored 17 times in 34 La Liga appearances for Sociedad.
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However, Isak’s goalscoring form has dropped in the current campaign and the Sociedad star has scored four times in 18 appearances in the Spanish league.
The Sweden international was subject to intense transfer speculation linking him with Arsenal after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped as captain.
The Daily Mirror reports that both United and Chelsea are ‘both keen on’ Arsenal target Isak.
Arsenal reportedly saw a £58m bid on deadline day rejected by Sociedad, with the La Liga club wanting the Gunners to meet Isak’s £75m release clause.
United have now identified the former Dortmund striker as a ‘potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo should he leave in the summer.’
However, the Red Devils will face opposition from Chelsea ‘on the striker front’ if Romelu Lukaku is unable to rediscover his goalscoring form.
Arsenal will ‘also be in the running for Isak’ as Mikel Arteta aims to sign a new striker, with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette likely to leave in the summer.
Isak is ‘considered an alternative’ to Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who is in hot demand by Europe’s top clubs.
Haaland, 21, is expected to leave Dortmund in the summer and has a £68m release clause in his contract, with Barcelona and Real Madrid leading the race to sign him.
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Despite being under contract until 2026, Isak insisted that he is focused on his career at Sociedad and not on his future elsewhere.
“I am not talking about other clubs,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“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.”
When asked about a move away from Sociedad, Isak added: “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.”
Topics: Alexander Isak, Real Sociedad, La Liga, Spain, Football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Premier League, England
Adnan Riaz