'We have to respect Newcastle': Fabrizio Romano says Mikel Arteta is obsessed with signing Newcastle United striker

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have an 'obsession' with signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

It may not seem like he's not telling us something we don't already know, but in truth, the bulk of the 'obsession' we've seen over the Alexander Isak to Arsenal links have been media-driven.

Now Romano has directly mentioned Mikel Arteta as wanting to sign Alexander Isak this summer. There's obviously no smoke without fire.

The good thing is, that Romano does reiterate that they are whizzing in the wind.

Fabrizio Romano has done what so few journalist have done - acknowledged Newcastle in their Isak-Arsenal stories

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano says that Newcastle have no intention of letting Isak go this summer.

"In terms of a striker, the two names remain, and there are two obsessions of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

"[One is] Alexander Isak - but at the moment, we have to respect Newcastle. Newcastle had no intention, and there is still no intention, to consider Alexander Isak as a player who can leave in the summer. Then we will see, we will follow the story.

"But at the moment, it's not that easy to consider Alexander Isak as an easy target for the summer, absolutely. So Arsenal will be there, Arsenal will try, but at the moment it is not guaranteed yet."

Newcastle are set to offer Isak a new deal

We don't see that message changing, either, especially with rumours of a bumper new contract heading Isak's way to keep him focused on the Magpies.

If Newcastle ever do decide to sell Isak it will be borne out of a lack of options because of PSR, or because Isak himself is agitating for a move.

One thing's for certain, though, whatever the reason, the buying club will have to come at us with fat stacks of cash as Isak will not be sold on the cheap.