EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

FC Barcelona interested in signing Real Sociedad Forward

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Barcelona is reportedly planning to bolster its attacking options for next season. Barcelona is linked with Real Sociedad’s young forward Alexander Isak for a transfer this summer.

The Catalans are clearly struggling in attack after they let Luis Suarez leave to Atletico Madrid. Since then they have been left with Martin Braithwaite as their natural no.9 who has failed to show up to his potential.

Barcelona has been linked with Isak too but the move failed because of poor transfer negotiations.

Isak joined Borussia Dortmund in 2017 after performing well for Allsvenskan. But he failed to live up to his name for the German side and was loaned to Willem II. After returning from loan he was sold to Real Sociedad in 2019.

Isak has appeared 87 times in his 2 years for La Real. He has scored 30 goals and assisted 5 in all competitions. He has been the main threat in attack for his club in the league this season with 14 goals in 32 appearances.

With his impressive goal tally, he is among the top six goal scorers in the league. He has helped Sociedad to the 5th spot in La Liga and also to secure a Europa League spot for next season.

Isak is under contract until 2024 with a release clause of €70 million. But Borussia Dortmund has a €30 million buyback option, which they could consider triggering if Erling Haaland ends up leaving this summer.

Barcelona an ideal destination for Isak?

Isak has all the attributes of a classic “target man”, one whose main role is to win aerial duels and play off of creative teammates, but his game is much more than that.

He likes to play off the shoulder of the defense, eagerly waiting for through balls from creative midfielders. The Swedish can also hold the ball up with his combination of speed and dribbling ability.

He is a constant threat on the counter-attack, capable of getting past defenders or dragging bodies and creating space for runners. He also has decent vision and passing. In front of the goal, he is dangerous with both his feet and his head.

He is unpredictable with his finishing, always keeping defenders and goalkeepers on edge. Most of his goals have come from through balls or passes over the defense. He also carries the ball in his stride and finishes with confidence.

He undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him. Though he is showing immense quality this season, he might not be ready to carry Barcelona’s front line. There will be a lot asked of him, and he will be expected to perform on the biggest stages in world football, and his zero goals in the Europa League this season are not reassuring. 

Barcelona should consider investing their money in their other targets for their attacking options next season. Spending such an amount on a youngster might not be a good risk when the club is already facing financial problems.

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