If there is one almost certain thing, it is that Arsenal will be signing a striker this summer.
Mikel Arteta’s project, after three consecutive second-place finishes, is crying out for a striker to provide the missing ingredient to finally get over the line.
Behind the scenes, it is believed sporting director Andrea Berta has been pressing hard to get that signing secured.
Gyökeres Remains the Top Target
Last weekend, it was revealed that Berta’s focus in Arsenal’s striker chase is on Viktor Gyökeres, with frustration over the Benjamin Šeško pursuit forcing them to withdraw from that race.
But the Gyökeres deal has not been straightforward either. A difference in valuation between Arsenal and Sporting is stalling progress, as the Gunners are not willing to part with £69 million for the 27-year-old.
While the belief remains that a deal will be finalised sooner rather than later, there is a slim chance it could fall through.
Watkins Waiting in the Wings
If that happens, Ollie Watkins is ready to present himself as the fallback option.
According to TBR Football, Watkins would love to be “that guy” who steps in if the Gunners miss out on Gyökeres.
Arsenal tried but failed to sign the Aston Villa forward last winter.
He has already been mooted as the alternative. He is appreciated at the Emirates, but TBR go on to claim Arsenal would only move for him if he is available for under £50 million.
Though 2024/25 was not his finest campaign, the Englishman still returned a decent 16 goals and eight assists in 38 matches.
Tried and tested in the Premier League, he could add the much-needed goal threat to Arteta’s project.
While it is suggested Watkins would privately relish a move to Arsenal, whether that happens is something we will have to wait and see.
Given how hard Gyökeres has pushed to join the Gunners, it would feel unjust not to make it happen.
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments Gooners.
Daniel O
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Look, it’s high time Arsenal ended this Gyokeres transfer logjam.
They want and need Gyokeres; the player desperately wants to play for them; Sporting are not showing any signs of backing down from their position; the difference in the two clubs’ position is not such that would financially cripple Arsenal, at least if we are to believe the things we read on this saga.
So I think Arsenal should reach agreement with Sporting and save the player further frustration and unnecessary career embarrassment.
I agree, we are apparently haggling over a couple of million to land Gyokeres but are willing to pay Chelsea 50 million for the Chelsea player. I know which one I think is the greater need.
You are 100% correct. Gyokeres wants Arsenal. He’s gone on strike. Parted from his girlfriend to leave no Portuguese ties. Surely a club of our stature who needs a #9 realises he wants to be at Arsensl. £4m or €5m euro is not gonna bankrupt us. 97 goals in 102 appearances. No brainer.
We need Gyokeres please, Arteta take notes cos you are soon leaving Arsenal if you are not serious.
With all respect Ollie Watkins isnvtho striker to make Arsenal champions we might as well keep Havertz as center forward I have little hope for Arsenal with the signings so far Zubimendi yes an update on Partey Norgaard equates to Jorginho No comment on Madueke but the money to be spent on him is better spent elsewhere and if Arsenal move for Jackson of Chelsea that really would be the final nail to any hope of success in the new season that is already looking to be a poor one for Arsenal before a ball is kicked
i reckon with Arsenal there be 20 plus goals there
Yes boy spot on
imo, if Gyokeres does not go through, Watkins must come only after the acquisition of Eze or not come at all and only at £35m or less.
You are 100% correct. Gyokeres wants Arsenal. He’s gone on strike. Parted from his girlfriend to leave no Portuguese ties. Surely a club of our stature who needs a #9 realises he wants to be at Arsensl. £4m or €5m euro is not gonna bankrupt us. 97 goals in 102 appearances. No brainer.
gunners should end this soap opera right now by paying what they want, or just sign Watkins. He be worth 20/25 goals to us playing with a good side
For the love Victor has shown Arsenal , The Club should just do it for him , even if it means adding more than 5 million Euros
From Football Insider via BBC website today:
“Newcastle United would have to agree a £100m deal to sign England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, from Aston Villa this summer. Newcastle would have to pay £50million to sign the 29-year-old and offer him a £50million contract.”
Presumably the same terms would apply to other clubs. If so, that’s a lot of money for a 29-year-old, isn’t it.
From Football Insider via BBC website today:
“Newcastle United would have to agree a £100m deal to sign England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, from Aston Villa this summer. Newcastle would have to pay £50million to sign the 29-year-old and offer him a £50million contract.”
Presumably the same terms would apply to other clubs. If so, that’s a lot of money in total for a 29-year-old, isn’t it.
Bertie
That’s a staggering amount of money
I looked on Transfermarkt and they estimate his current value at €40m. The idea that Watkins gets £10m pa is also eye watering. Again, Transfermarkt believe he’s currently on about £6mpa.
Remember the Luis Suarez saga were Arsenal failed to land him with a Chicky £40, 000,000 + 1 bid? We ended up carelessly spending £42,000,000 + on a midfielder Mesut Ozil, during that time we had Jack Wilshire, Santiago Carzola, Aron Ramsey etc. That Season we desperately needed a striker, Suarez was eager to join Arsenal but the club let him down.
So management chose to spend 42 million on assists than goals. Had we signed Suarez that season the trophy less 🏆🏆 error could have been the them of the past. Suarez could have fired us to Premier league triumph that same season and beyond.
It’s time management started managing well well, first things first we need a striker sale Sambi lokonga and Nelson to top up on Gyokores transfer fee. We don’t want history to repeat itself.
Sporting CP has got nothing to lose, they won’t break, they want to cash.
All-in-All,
It will be a very exciting campaign ahead, with possibly 7 new signings and retaining our best players
Dragging transfer saga’s aside, it will be such a pleasant experience, knowing with done all of our business ahead of our first game, and another bonus will be our injured players returning to full fitness
C’mon you Gunners 🙏🙏🙏🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
A quick one,we could even give away martinelli to sporting only to land Gyokeres,our striker who doesn’t like to strike
Cuckoo
Ok we got the sticker, please go and get eze now to complete the shopping
Barry Hedderman,
It’s a striker we need, not a sticker.😂👍