What happened to Viktor Gyokeres’ Arsenal transfer links?
The Swedish striker enjoyed a fantastic debut season for Sporting CP after the Portuguese paid £17 million to get him from Coventry last summer.
Gyokeres scored 21 goals and assisted 12 times in 49 appearances for Coventry during the 2022–23 Championship season. It’s funny that Premier League sides didn’t try to sign him at the time. The Sporting CP executives must feel themselves geniuses for successfully pulling off such a significant acquisition for such a little sum.
At Jose Alvalade Stadium, the forward continued his heroics in front of goal. By the time the 2023–24 season was over, he had 43 goals and 15 assists in all appearances, making him the player with the most goal involvements in Europe.
Several reports from last season indicated that Arsenal had been monitoring him, and their scouts had consistently expressed their admiration for him.
With Arsenal looking to add a solid striker to the squad this summer, why isn’t there any movement in the direction of Gyokeres? That’s what most Gooners have been asking themselves.
For sure, Gyokeres should be considered in Arsenal’s striker search. And he could be, as Fabrizio Romano has intimated that behind the scenes, the club may see him as a top target but they may feel his move is unlikely considering the hefty transfer fee he may be available for.
“Things have been quiet for a while regarding Viktor Gyokeres, but that’s because he isn’t a ‘Plan B’ for anyone, he’ll be a first choice – but he’s really expensive,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing.
Portuguese teams are well-known for demanding high fees for their players. And as talented as Gyokeres had proven to be, they would undoubtedly want a mammoth of an offer to let him go.
Peter Rix
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I prefer him to Sesko
you are right, given Arsenal is linked with the world and his wife it is strange Gyrokeres rumours have all but disappeared
so have the Ivan Toney rumours, but that is less strange, but does make me laugh that Toney was the £100m solution to guaranteed title success in January!
perhaps there is a growing acceptance that
1) £100m is too much for a player one season out from the Championship (41 goals, 113 matches, 3 seasons doesn’t scream £100m bargain)
2) £100m is too much of our budget with more urgent need elsewhere, e.g. midfield rebuild
but who knows, Edu/Arteta are great at springing surprises, but usually names not linked rather than tired old rumours
Gyokeres was my first choice as well. But at a release clause of GP86m, I think he’s too expensive for our needs.
What I think Arteta will be looking for is an option, not a replacement, for Havertz. That kind of money cannot, should not, be splashed on a support striker when the midfield is crying for a marque replacement for Thomas Partey.
I watched Bobben yesterday for Holland against Canada. Even though he didn’t score a goal, but I liked his movements and hold-up play. He looks like a player who could offer a different attacking variety to Havertz.
The player himself has reportedly expressed his admiration for Arsenal; and he could come at a reasonable outlay.
To hell with Portuguese clubs and their exploitative inclinations!
Arsenal Ins and Outs ( My prediction)
Ins
– Sesko (50 mil)
– Raphinha (35 mil)
– Brobbey Ajax (30 mil)
– Ait Nouri (25 mil)
– De Jong ( 50 mil)
Total : Approx 190 mil
Outs
– Nketiah ( 30 mil)
– Nelson ( 20 mil)
– Jesus ( 40 mil)
– Partey (20 mil)
– Zinchenko ( 25 mil)
Total : Approx 135 mil
I’m sure we can top up around 45 mil to get those deals done. We will be in a much better shape.
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Ait-Nouri
Odegaard Rice De Jong
Saka Sesko Martinelli
Subs : Ramsdale, Timber, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, ESR, Raphinha, Havertz, Brobbey