Arsenal chief Edu may hold key advantage in winning £75m transfer tussle this summer

In pictures: Arsenal v Burnley

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Arsenal transfer chief Edu could hold a key advantage over Chelsea and Manchester United when it comes to signing Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak this summer after it was revealed that the environment at the Emirates Stadium is “like a family.” The Gunners were tipped to sign the 22-year-old in January but weren’t prepared to pay his £75million release clause.

Arsenal will likely reignite their interest in Isak in the summer as they look for a new frontman to spearhead their attack.

The north Londoners allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to depart the club on a free transfer last month as the Gabon striker moved to Barcelona.

France international Alexandre Lacazette has been leading the line in recent weeks but is out of contract at the end of the campaign and could also leave the club.

With Eddie Nketiah being linked with a move away, Arsenal will be desperate to find a top-quality striker in the summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been much-improved this season and a player who can regularly find the back of the net in the Premier League would be worth their weight in gold to the Arsenal boss.

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Isak has made a name for himself thanks to a series of impressive displays and appears to be the Gunners’ number one target.

But with Chelsea and United also circling, Arsenal will face a transfer tussle to secure his signature.

And that could mean Edu will have to pull out all the stops to persuade the ace to opt for a move to the Gunners.

Former Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi has this week lauded the environment at the Emirates Stadium as he spoke about his relationship with star players Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

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And the positive vibes in north London could be enough of a pull for Isak.

“I think the reason they’re doing so well is because we were so tight-knit there,” said Mavididi, who is now plying his trade in France with Montpellier. “It was literally like a family.”

“There is an age gap between myself, Bukayo and Emile but we’ve been together for such a long time.

“It’s nice when I go back to London and see how well they’re doing. What they’ve done in their short careers already. I can’t even explain it, it’s mad – I feel like a proud dad.”

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League table after winning 11 of their 21 games.

And they are desperately chasing a top four finish to secure Champions League qualification.

If they do make it into European’s premier competition, that will clearly also have an impact on who they can sign this summer.

But they won’t want to miss out on Isak. The ace is tall, strong and technically gifted and possesses all the attributes to light up the Premier League.

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