Man Utd eye Arsenal transfer target Isak as Ronaldo replacement

Chelsea and Manchester United are both keen on Real Sociedad forward Alexander Isak.

The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Arsenal last month after being spotted in London.

But it is understood his visit was simply a getaway from Spain during the international break.

Isak has a £75million buyout clause in his contract with the La Liga club and is considered an alternative to Erling Haaland, who is being courted by several of Europe's biggest and richest clubs.

United see Isak as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo should he leave in the summer.

While Chelsea could go again on the striker front if Romelu Lukaku fails to ignite this season.

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Arsenal will also be in the running for Isak but unless they qualify for the Champions League they will have a tough task convincing him to move to the Emirates.

Isak, 22, has been capped 32 times by Sweden.

The Gunners had identified Isak as one of their potential targets in January but opted against a move due to the size of Isak's release clause fee.

Sociedad were reportedly unwilling to enter talks with other clubs unless they received a big which equalled that figure.

Isak is also tied down to a long-term contract which runs until 2026, meaning Sociedad are under no pressure to sell.

Despite persistent links with Arsenal over the transfer window, Isak remained unfazed by the rumours.

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 whether that was ruling out a move in the near future, though, and Isak stopped short of committing himself to Socieded.

"You can never be sure of anything," he added.

"As I always say, you never know what can happen in football but in the end I'm here, happy, and nothing more."

Isak was one of the stars of Euro 2020 yet his former club Borussia Dortmund did not take up their option of activating his buy-back clause, instead negotiating a fee with Sociedad for it to be removed.

The future of Haaland will be front and centre of the summer transfer window, though Isak could be a more realistic option for United amid their current struggles.

Much of that could depend on who the new man in the hotseat is at Old Trafford, with the club's transfer business seemingly on hold until a permanent appointment is made to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

Chelsea are also interested in the Norwegian but competition from the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona could force them to consider alternative options if they miss out.