Ruben Amorim urged to use Man Utd star in deal to sign Alexander Isak ahead of Arsenal

Ruben Amorim has been urged to use a Manchester United player in a deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Old Trafford legend Gary Pallister insists Amorim would benefit from the addition of a proven goalscorer, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee flattering to deceive.

£72m signing Hojlund, 21, is clearly talented but has just two league goals this season, while Zirkzee’s form has been such that he has been linked with a move away from Manchester United just six months after moving to the Premier League.

Amorim is believed to be interested in signing his former Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, though any move for the Sweden goalscoring machine is expected to come in the summer.

Another player who has been tentatively linked with Manchester United is in-form Newcastle star Isak, who has scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances for the Magpies.

Newcastle value Isak at more than £100m so a deal will be hard to agree, especially during the January transfer window.

Pallister says Isak would ‘immediately improve’ Manchester United, however, and has raised the possibility of Marcus Rashford being used as part of a proposal given to Newcastle.

Rashford is being linked with several domestic and foreign clubs after admitting last month that he was ‘ready for a new challenge’.

‘Alexander Isak would immediately improve the Manchester United squad,’ four-time Premier League winner Pallister told Betano.

‘They’re still looking for a player to get them goals, he looks the finished article and full of confidence.

‘I’m not sure whether they will fork out £150million which is what Newcastle want, but he’d be a great signing for any Premier League side.

‘There’s noise out of Old Trafford that they’re looking at new strikers, Rasmus Hojlund has been at the club for a season and a half.

‘Look, I love his attitude but it’s clear he’s learning on the job. The club needs goals right now – Joshua Zirkzee isn’t a striker for me, he’s more of a number ten.

‘It’s a shame the club didn’t try and get the Harry Kane deal done when he was on the market.

‘I’d say Isak will be out of the price range for the club, but maybe if something can be done using Marcus Rashford going the other way, I don’t know. The club just need a goalscorer.’

Arsenal are believed to be at the front of the queue to sign Isak as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options at the Emirates Stadium.

Several pundits – including ex-Arsenal stars Paul Merson and Emmanuel Petit – have urged the Gunners to launch a move for Isak.

‘I think Isak is the best striker in the Premier League,’ former West Ham frontman Tony Cottee told BetUK before comparing Isak to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

‘We know what a great goal scorer Erling Haaland is but Isak has become the perfect all round striker this season and is in the form of his life.

‘It’s not just his goal scoring, I think his overall play is some of the best I’ve ever seen from a forward, he is up there with Thierry Henry in terms of raw ability and all round game and Henry is the best all round forward in Premier League history.

‘He possesses a lot of the same qualities as Henry, his movement is brilliant, he’s quick, and he’s an unbelievable finisher.

‘Arsenal should break the bank and sign Isak as he would give them a chance of winning the league and they are desperate for a striker like him.

‘I’m sure Newcastle would be reluctant to sell him but if Arsenal can afford £100m you can see Newcastle taking it. He should be top of the list for every world class club looking for a striker.’

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