KEY POINTS

  • Chelsea is among the clubs monitoring Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak
  • Isak is second to Lionel Messi in terms of expected goals per match
  • The Swedish striker is being lauded for his potential

Chelsea has joined an array of big-name clubs in chasing a top-level La Liga striker.

Recent reports have linked the Blues to a search for a formidable striker following rumors claiming Timo Werner has failed to impress Thomas Tuchel this past season.

With a host of clubs already setting its sights on suitable signings, Chelsea has decided to put Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak on its radar, various reports from Spain reported, including Mundo Deportivo and Diario AS.

Isak has drawn strong interest from a host of top-flight clubs. Apart from Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, AS Roma and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the Swedish forward, the reports said.

If reports are to be accurate, Isak’s former club Borussia Dortmund had a €30 million ($35.5 million) buy-back option on him.

However, Real Sociedad is believed to have bought out the said clause and is now working on extending the 21-year-old’s contract from 2024 to 2028, per Spanish outlets, Sport1, Diario AS, Mundo Deportivo and Marca.

Should a top European club such as Chelsea decide to pursue Isak, it may not be like a walk in the park as Real Sociedad is unwilling to sell the youngster.

The only way to possibly sign him is by triggering his staggering €70 million ($83 million) release clause, the reports noted.

Isak may not be as famous as La Liga’s household names Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, his work rate revealed that he is the only Spanish top-flight striker who is almost as efficient as Messi in terms of expected (xG) goals per match.

Swedish forward Alexander Isak will lead the threat for Real Sociedad against Barcelona
Swedish forward Alexander Isak will lead the threat for Real Sociedad against Barcelona AFP / ANDER GILLENEA

Aside from club football, Isak is also impressing on the international stage. In fact, despite not being able to score a goal in the UEFA Euros yet, the right-footed striker is already earning rave reviews.

"Don’t think there’s much doubt that Alexander Isak will attract a lot of attention from clubs across Europe,” BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said of Isak’s potential. "Exceptional talent."

For former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique, Isak even presents a strong case to be the Reds’ alternative for top target Erling Haaland.

“I know him [Isak] very well because he play[s] for Real Sociedad,” Enrique said on his Instagram page. “He is a top player, definitely I would sign him and [he] is really young so hopefully we can go for him if we can’t go for [Erling] Haaland or someone like that.”

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