Arsenal sent clear Alexander Isak transfer instruction after Kai Havertz injury

Arsenal could make a late play to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that could see him set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Gunners held open training on Wednesday in front of supporters and Havertz was missing, with the Athletic reporting later that the German had picked up a knee injury in a huge blow to Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal have already brought in £63.7million man Viktor Gyokeres to help solve their striker crisis, but an injury to Havertz will leave Arteta light in the forward department once more.

The plan at the Emirates Stadium was to focus on outgoing transfers before committing to potentially one more big signing before the window closed, but the injury to Havertz has changed matters. Sporting director Andrea Berta will now look to the market to bring in a replacement.

At the start of the window it was a case of Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko - who eventually ended up at Manchester United and played against the Gunners on Sunday in the opening game of the new Premier League season.

But the dream signing was always seen to be Alexander Isak at Newcastle United.

The Swede was, however, seen as off-limits, due to the Magpies disinterest in selling and the £150million price tag on his shoulders.

However, things have dramatically changed on the Isak front in recent weeks, with Liverpool seeing a £110million bid knocked back after Isak refused to return to training with Newcastle in order to try and force through a move.

Isak released a statement on Instagram on Tuesday night saying: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

Isak is desperate to leave St James' Park and the feeling is that Liverpool will return with another bid to try and snap him up. But given Arsenal's previous interest and their need to reinforce now, could the Gunners move to hijack that potential deal? Is the money there to get another big-money transfer through the door?

If Arsenal did have the money to spend and could hijack Liverpool's move for Isak it would represent a huge coup. And the Gunners have been told exactly how to do it, too.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said: "If some magic happened in the window and [Newcastle] manage to find a top-level replacement from somewhere for Isak and they brought in Wissa, then my understanding is Isak would be allowed to go if Liverpool up their bid.

"I think it would need to be another £25million on top of that [£110m plus add-ons] for Newcastle to sit up and listen."

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