Arsenal ‘establish £60m Alexander Isak various’ as they appear to lastly resolve their ahead points – however ‘face competitors’ from different Premier League sides

Arsenal have identified another European forward as a transfer target for the summer should they miss out on signing Alexander Isak, according to a report.

The Gunners seem set to come up short in the Premier League title race once again under Mikel Arteta, with the side currently 12 points behind Liverpool with nine matches to play.

They have been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, particularly in forward areas, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz out for the season while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also been absent.

Arteta, meanwhile, expressed his frustration in the winter that his side failed to recruit another forward in the January transfer window, before they fell victim to the injuries.

It is expected that they won’t make that mistake again in the summer and will sign at least one striker, with Alexander Isak believed to be top of their shopping list after their enquired about him last year.

The Sun, though, report that an alternative target has been identified, and that man is Hugo Ekitike.

Arsenal have identified an alternative forward to Alexander Isak, according to a report

The Gunners are keen to sign Isak in the summer having gone in for him last summer

Hugo Ekitike of Frankfurt could cost Arsenal £60million in the summer if the Gunners decide to move for him

It is reported that Ekitike is valued at around £60million, which is a lot less than what any club that wants to sign Isak will have to pay.

He has scored 19 goals this season for Frankfurt, with a number of other Premier League sides, including Liverpool, also linked.

The France Under-21 international bagged a hat-trick against Lee Carsley’s U21 England side on Friday, and has impressed in Germany after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

It is said that the player himself wants to move to a Champions League club in the summer, and Liverpool and Arsenal are the only two English sides that can pretty much guarantee that currently.

Arsenal have scored 16 fewer goals than Liverpool this season – 53 compared to 69 – and have also netted fewer than Manchester City and rivals Tottenham.

Mikel Merino has been used as a makeshift striker during the injury crisis, with Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri offering support.

It is reported that Manchester United are also keen on signing Ekitike as they look so solve their own goal scoring and No 9 issues.