What Andrea Berta really thinks of Viktor Gyokeres amid Arsenal transfer links

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Andrea Berta has arrived at Arsenal and he’s already making transfer plans ahead of the summer.

The Gunners are eager to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s attacking cohort, with a striker the most pressing area that needs addressing.

Alexander Isak is Arteta’s dream signing, while Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike have been mooted as potential options.

However, reports emerged on Sunday indicating that Arsenal see Viktor Gyokeres as a cheaper alternative to Isak and that they’re exploring a deal for the Sporting centre-forward.

• READ MORE: The reason ‘several’ sporting directors rejected Arsenal spells bad news as Mikel Arteta fears grow

What Andrea Berta thinks of Arsenal transfer targets Viktor Gyokeres

Berta has an impressive track record of signing strikers, and he’ll no doubt be immediately judged on who he ends up bringing to Arsenal to fill this position.

Gyokeres has been linked with the Gunners for some time, although it’s well-documented that the Premier League side were deterred from pursuing him last summer due to Sporting’s excessive asking price.

Now, however, there are suggestions that Sporting will accept a fee in the region of £60 million for Gyokeres.

This, along with the appointment of Berta, appears to have reignited Arsenal’s interest in the Swede.

Speaking on TalkSport on Monday, journalist Alex Crook revealed that Berta is a huge admirer of Gyokeres.

“The other name that we understand is on their radar is Viktor Gyokeres, obviously at Sporting,” Crook said.

“Would be a cheaper option [to Isak]. I think Sporting are willing to cash in for around about the £58 million mark. So potentially, that is certainly the one we’re going to be keeping close attention on between now and when the window opens in June.

“It’s an earlier transfer window and I’d expect Arsenal to try and get their business done early. They’ve got Andrea Berta now confirmed as sporting director over the weekend and he’s a big fan of Gyokeres.” 

Given the volume of the reports suggesting Arteta is keen on Isak and Sesko, it’s very possible that the idea of signing Gyokeres is predominantly being driven by Berta.

What would Viktor Gyokeres bring to Arsenal?

Boasting electric pace and exceptional ball-striking, Gyokeres has developed into an elite goal-scorer in the last two seasons at Sporting.

Netting 43 goals in 50 games in all competitions last season and 42 in 42 this term, the prolific striker has built a sample size large enough to suggest that he will score goals in any team he plays in.

Arsenal currently lack players who strike the ball with power and precision in the final third, while they also lack players who stretch teams with relentless running in behind.

Gyokeres excels in these two aspects of the game, with his specific skillset adding significant threat to Arsenal’s attack that would help break down low blocks.

At £58 million, signing Gyokeres would be an astute initial piece of business from Berta in N5.