Barcelona will reportedly target a move for 22-year-old Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak if they fail to land Erling Haaland in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Alexander Isak will be Barcelona’s preferred alternative if they cannot secure the services of Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window. The contingency plan will also include pursuing a centre-back, with Jules Kounde the priority.
Alexander Isak has found a stable footing since joining La Liga outfit Real Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in July 2019. While he is yet to become a prolific goalscorer, the Swedish international has become a key figure for club and country.
The 2021/22 season has been difficult for Isak, who has a sub-par tally of eight goals and two assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. Despite his underwhelming performances this term, the 22-year-old has no shortage of suitors, with Barcelona among the clubs keen on signing him in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona’s priority for the summer transfer window would be to secure the services of Erling Haaland. The Catalan giants are already in talks with the Borussia Dortmund striker and are hoping to direct a majority of their resources towards landing the prolific Norwegian marksman.
But Barcelona will face stiff competition from arch-rivals Real Madrid in the race to sign Haaland, with Los Blancos reportedly the front-runners to land the young striker. As a result, the La Liga heavyweights are keeping their options open and are laying down a contingency plan.
The said plan will entail signing two players from the fund that would have been budgeted to land Haaland. One of these players will be a striker while the other will be a centre-back. The preferred alternative to Haaland is Alexander Isak, while Jules Kounde will be the central defender Barcelona will pursue.
But Barcelona could face stiff competition from several Premier League clubs in pursuit of the 22-year-old Swedish striker, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United also keen on signing him. For now, Isak has emerged as a viable alternative to Haaland, albeit one who is a major downgrade on the Borussia Dortmund striker.
