Mikel Arteta was handed the opportunity to take a closer look at Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres on Tuesday evening.
Viktor Gyokeres is one of the most exciting strikers in European football, and has been in scintillating form so far this season.
Prior to the Portuguese outfit’s clash against the Gunners in the Champions League on Tuesday, the 26-year-old had already netted 5 times in 4 appearances in the competition, having bagged a hat-trick against Manchester City last time out.
As such, it is unsurprising that a number of clubs are interested in prising Gyokeres away from Sporting CP, with Arsenal and Manchester United amongst that clutch of suitors.
Martin Keown and Rio Ferdinand tell Viktor Gyokeres who to sign for
Arsenal have already had an approach for Gyokeres rebuffed. Mikel Arteta is clearly a huge admirer of the Sweden international.
However, with former Sporting boss Ruben Anorim now in charge at Old Trafford, Manchester United have an advantage in the race to sign Gyokeres.
As far as Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown are concerned, Manchester United would be the best destination for Gyokeres to make the switch to, rather than the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on TNT Sports (26/11/24, 19:30), Ferdinand said: “If he [Gyokeres] wants to win, he goes to Manchester United – no I’m joking…I think the key point is that he knows the manager and that transition to another league, to go with someone that knows your game perfectly and actually will be able to get the best out of you.
“He’s proved he can do that somewhere else and you’re going to go somewhere where you’re rebuilding and you can be the star of that process with him and I think that he’ll be licking his lips at something like that.”
Former Arsenal centre-back Keown concurred, adding: “If you think at the moment, he’s playing his best football at the club where this guy took him, he’s gone now. So you wonder if he’s going to be able to retain that and if he can’t certainly he’ll be looking to go and join him at Manchester United.”
Why Arsenal need to beat Manchester United in Gyokeres transfer race
Whilst Old Trafford is being touted as the best destination for Gyokeres, Arteta needs to do all he can to convince the forward to opt for a switch to North London.
Whilst the prospect of joining a rebuilding project at Manchester United may appeal to the player, it should not be forgotten that Arsenal are already genuine title contenders, and can offer Champions League football.
Arsenal need to sign a striker, and with his pace, power, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing, Gyokeres would be the perfect addition to Arteta’s ranks.
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