‘Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal held up by minor detail with new timescale set’
(Credit: Imago)
Arsenal’s move for Viktor Gyokeres is nearing completion but there are still minor details that need ironing out, according to reports.
Gyokeres has been a long-time target of the Gunners, who are in desperate need of a natural No.9.
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons and every time, they have been outscored by the champions, with Manchester City taking two titles and Liverpool the other.
After also showing serious interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal have zeroed in on Gyokeres, who has scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP across all competitions, winning back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
Arsenal still working on ‘minor details’ in Gyokeres deal
According to the BBC (14 July), Arsenal now expect to agree a £63.5million transfer to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates, making him their fourth-most expensive signing of all time behind Declan Rice (£100m), Nicolas Pepe (£72m) and Kai Havertz (£65m).
However, supporters won’t be able to rest easy just yet, with the report stating the club are still ‘resolving minor details’ and that it could take another 24 hours for everything to be finalised.
| 2024/25 Primeira Liga per 90 stats | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Goals | 1.25 |
| Shots on target | 2.57 |
| Assists | 0.22 |
| Chances created | 1.99 |
| Successful dribbles | 1.93 |
| Touches in opposition box | 10.5 |
| Blocks | 0.90 |
| Possession won in final 3rd | 1.00 |
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That said, it would be a major shock if Arsenal missed out on the Sweden international now, with the player himself pushing hard to make the deal happen.
Mikel Arteta will hope this added firepower can prove the difference in the title race next season, with Arsenal once again set to go head-to-head with Liverpool and Manchester City.
Gyokeres to bring far more than just goals for Arsenal
Football Insider verdict
While a goalscorer has been Arsenal’s Achilles heel over the past three seasons, Gyokeres brings far more than just lethal finishing.
The 27-year-old is an incredible physical specimen, possessing pace and power few of his peers can match.
And to go with that, the former Coventry man also has the football brain and style to match Arteta’s demands, according to one insider.
“People speak about his goals and that’s the most important thing for a striker. But he’s the type of striker who likes to press the defenders to make the offensive fouls when necessary,” Portuguese journalist David Novo said recently (8 July).
“If a manager wants to have a striker who is the first one to defend, Gyokeres can do it. I don’t know if it’s what Mikel Arteta wants, but he can do it.”
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