Manchester United give up on Haaland and ‘enter race’ for 22-year old La Liga striker

Manchester United have reportedly ‘entered the race’ to sign Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak after ‘admitting defeat’ in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.

The Star broke the news this morning that the Old Trafford side would no longer look to land the Norwegian superstar and were turning their attentions to a player being described as ‘the next best option in the current market’.

Isak, 22, has been linked with several of Europe’s top clubs over the past year and it is believed that the Red Devils could face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool - who are just two clubs rumoured to be interested in the Swede.

Here is everything you need to know about the player including what is being reported today:

Who is Alexander Isak? Swedish striker linked with Manchester United move

Alexander Isak is a 22-year old striker who pays for Spanish side Real Sociedad in La Liga.

He began his senior career in his native Sweden with Allmänna Idrottsklubben (AIK) before moving to German side Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €9 million.

Isak only made five first team appearances for Dortmund between 2017 and 2019 before joining Real Sociedad following a loan spell with Willem II in the Dutch Eredivise.

In his two and a half seasons with the La Liga club the striker has made 120 appearances across all competitions and scored 41 goals.

He has also been an ever present for the Sweden national men’s side since 2017, earning 32 caps and scoring nine goals.

In 2021, he scored four goals in four FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying matches.

What is being reported about Manchester United’s interest in Isak?

The Star broke the story this morning, saying that Alexander Isak was now a target for the Old Trafford side after they ‘admitted defeat’ in the race to sign to Erling Haaland.

Real Sociedad have reportedly place a £60m price-tag on the striker who signed a five year contract when he first signed for the club in 2019.

The story also claims that Arsenal would be willing to spend £70m to secure the player’s signature while Liverpool are also monitoring the situation.

Newcastle United have also been heavily linked with Isak since the North East club were taken over by the Saudi Arabia backed consortium.

However, it looks like the players preference could be to join a club playing in the Champions League, adding even more implications to the current race for a top four spot in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland latest - United ‘admit defeat’ as City remain favourites to sign Norwegian

The same report claims that Manchester United have turned their attentions to Isak because they have ‘admitted defeat’ in the race to sign Erling Haaland.

The Borussia Dortmund striker is the hottest commodity in European football and is expected to leave the German side this summer.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are two clubs thought to be pursuing a move but it’s Manchester City who are the heavy favourites with bookmakers.

SkyBet, who have special markets on players signing for clubs, make City odds on at 1/3 to sign Haaland before September 3, 2022.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are now 33/1 in the betting to sign the Norwegian.