Arsenal are increasingly likely to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, Arsenal Insider understands.
Gyokeres is enjoying another outstanding season for Sporting, netting 47 goals in 46 games across all competitions thus far.
This form has unsurprisingly sparked interest from several clubs throughout Europe, including the Gunners and Manchester United.
Gyokeres has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while now, and they may finally land their man this summer, with Andrea Berta particularly keen on recruiting the prolific Swedish striker.
Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal’s most likely striker signing this summer
Alexander Isak is Arsenal’s dream striker signing, although the asking price placed on the Newcastle man makes his acquisition unlikely.
Thus, Isak’s compatriot Gyokeres, available for a purported £60 million, appears the more likely deal, and Berta favours the Sporting man over Benjamin Sesko.
The feeling is that while Sesko has the potential to develop into a superstar, he’s not at that level yet and Arsenal need someone who can slot in and immediately hit the ground running.
“Those are the conversations they’re having at the club,” TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider.
“Does Sesko have a higher ceiling, could he be a Ballon d’Or winner? Yeah, maybe. But does he need 18 months to settle in? Gyokeres’s ceiling might not be as high, but his floor is much higher. Sesko could be the next [Rasmus] Hojlund.”
Bailey also revealed that Berta increasingly feels Gyokeres ticks all the boxes.
“One thing I’m told that Berta likes about Gyokeres is that he’s plug and play,” he said.
“He’s ready to go, there’s going to be no bedding in with him. Sounds a bit funny, because when you’re spending millions and millions of pounds on strikers, but we know that Gyokeres is in a very different stage of his career to some of the other players they’re linked to, a Sesko for example.
“I do wonder if, because Gyokeres is yet to play for that world-level club, like Arsenal, when they get him I think he’ll be hungry. His next move isn’t going to be finance-driven. He’s thinking about his legacy for his career now and he really wants to make an impact.
“Everything is pushing him towards this Arsenal project. This Arsenal team is ready to win now. They need a striker to get them over the line to win the title, and Gyokeres believes he can be that guy.
“Gyokeres has lived in the UK before, in Brighton. He’s getting to the top of Arsenal’s list because he ticks so many boxes. He’s ready to go and his scoring record is unbelievable. I would say he’s clearly the most likely.”
Viktor Gyokeres is the perfect fit for Arsenal
Arsenal need an out-and-out goalscorer who can also contribute in other aspects of the game, and Gyokeres fits the bill.
A powerful dribbler who is excellent at peeling out wide and combining with his teammates, the 26-year-old can shoot accurately off of both feet and is also capable of leading the press.
While a high-profile player with an impressive pedigree, he’d be delighted to join Arsenal, won’t demand excessive wages and would fit nicely into the squad alongside Kai Havertz.
His goal-scoring record speaks for itself, with the only remaining question mark being around how that translates to a much higher level.
The physical attributes look impressive, however, which is a very good sign in terms of adapting to the Premier League.
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