Manchester United enter Alexander Isak race

Manchester United have joined Chelsea and Arsenal in the transfer race for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.

Alexander Isak, 22, one of the breakout stars in the Euro 2020, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in stock since joining Real Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund. The Sweden international has played 115 times for Real Sociedad across all competitions, scoring 41 goals and providing seven assists.

Arsenal were keen on signing the 22-year-old striker in the January transfer window but were put off by the hefty price tag. Isak has a £75million release clause in his contract with Real Sociedad, and although his productivity has dipped this term, Manchester United are the latest club to express interest in him.

The Red Devils view the Sweden star as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo should he leave at the end of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Man United in the summer?

Ronaldo, who recently turned 37, made a sensational return to Old Trafford last summer from Juventus and has 14 goals in all competitions so far. However, the Portuguese superstar is understood to be unhappy at Old Trafford after a frustrating FA Cup elimination at the hands of Middlesbrough, in which he missed a first-half penalty.

The Red Devils’ recent FA Cup exit means their most realistic hope of winning a trophy this season has been wiped out. The incompetence and lack of winning mentality could see Ronaldo leave in the summer amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Zinedine Zidane is expected to replace Mauricio Pochettino at the helm of PSG next season and the French tactician wants to reunite with Ronaldo in Paris. Having already worked together at Real Madrid, where the pair won three consecutive Champions League titles, the Portuguese forward could be enticed to join the Les Parisians if Zidane takes over.

A move for Alexander Isak to Old Trafford makes sense

Apart from Ronaldo, Manchester United could also lose a few more attacking players. Edinson Cavani will be leaving the club when his contract expires in the summer, and there are doubts whether Jesse Lingard will sign an extension. Anthony Martial joined Sevilla on loan in January and a decision over his long-term future at the club will be taken after a new manager is appointed.

The Red Devils are expected to be in the market for attacking reinforcements as they seek to add more quality to their forward contingent that could get weakened. So, it is only logical for the club to target new attacking additions, with Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak emerging as an option.

Isak is a talented young striker with immense potential that Man United could tap into. A smart player, Isak is blessed with great pace to burn, can run down the channels and link up play in the final third. He is a composed finisher in front of goal and has the physical attributes to deal with the hustle and bustle of Premier League football. However, at 22, the striker still has a fair few rough edges within his game to sharpen.

If Man United are ready to trigger Isak’s £75million buyout clause or pay close to that sum to Sociedad, they could bag a fine young talent with the potential to replicate the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe on the global platform.