Transfer News: Soaring Value Dents Arsenal's Chances At Signing Messi's Goal-Scoring Rival

Arsenal may not be able to swing a deal for one of Lionel Messi’s La Liga rivals this summer.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s current deals with Arsenal are set to expire in 2022.

With that in mind, the Gunners have plotted potential transfer moves for a couple of targets this window, including Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.

After playing his best Spanish top-flight season this past campaign, Isak drew attention from Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, an earlier report said that the former had already told the player’s representatives that they will do everything to seal a deal.

Just days after the said discussions, Arsenal’s hopes of landing Isak went downhill after the Swedish signed a new contract with Real Sociedad.

What’s more, Isak’s release clause is said to be increasing from €70 million ($83 million) to €90million ($107 million) Spanish outlet El Desmarque reported.

Isak may not be as famous as La Liga’s household names Messi and Luis Suarez. However, his 17 goals in 34 games last season revealed a work rate that made him the only striker in the league who was almost as efficient as Messi in terms of expected goals per match.

Atop that, the 21-year-old is also considered as one of the most celebrated players in Sweden at present.

His incredible nose for goals saw him being touted as a credible successor to his legendary compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Though the similarities between the two Swedish stars seem to be more and more noticeable as time passes by, ex-AIK captain Nils-Eric Johansson--who played alongside Isak in his breakthrough 2016 season--begged to disagree on one thing.

According to Johansson, Isak might be as good as Ibrahimovic on the pitch, but the former doesn’t have the same “arrogance” the AC Milan star is famous for.

"What really stood out about Alexander [Isak] was his maturity," Johansson told BBC Sport last year. "There are many talented young players, but they usually need time before learning to connect with each other and play like a team. Isak was just 16, but played like a 26-year-old. That was absolutely remarkable.”

"Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] wants to make a show; Isak doesn't,” he added. “He is exactly the same on and off the pitch. Maybe some arrogance could actually have helped him."

Isak is currently playing for Sweden in the Euro 2020 and will make his return to Real Sociedad when La Liga kicks off this August.