Viktor Gyokeres is being assessed by Arsenal, but he’s not the club’s ‘number one’ transfer target at the moment, Arsenal Insider understands.
Gyokeres is enjoying an outstanding season for Sporting, netting 30 goals in 26 Primeira Liga games.
This form has inevitably sparked interest from several top clubs throughout Europe, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Gyokeres is ahead of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko on the Gunners’ striker target list, although, while he has become a more prominent target than he was, the Swede hasn’t leapfrogged the aforementioned two.
Viktor Gyokeres isn’t Arsenal’s ‘number one’ target
Gyokeres has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time now, but the Gunners have been reluctant to meet Sporting’s excessive asking price for the talisman.
However, it’s been widely reported that the Portuguese giants have a gentleman’s agreement with the 26-year-old that he’ll be allowed to leave for somewhere in the region of £50 million to £60 million this summer.
This decline in the prospective transfer fee has seemingly reignited Arsenal’s interest in the prolific number nine.
However, TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that the North London club don’t view him as the primary target at the moment, despite returning to the player as an option.
“From my understanding, Gyokeres has had really good reports,” he said.
“My understanding is that the likes of Gyokeres and [Hugo] Ekitike have perhaps risen up the list a little bit.
“I don’t think Gyokeres is the number one as we speak but he’s clearly one being assessed.”
Bailey did reveal that Gyokeres isn’t set on a move to England, although if he believes it’s the right move for his career, he’ll make it.
“I know he has his future mapped out and he chose Sporting very carefully. He sees where his career is going now and there’s the links to Forest, which have been downplayed.
“He is targeting a step up when he leaves Sporting. He is not obsessed with coming back to England but if it’s the right move, he will.”
Is Viktor Gyokeres the right man for Arsenal?
Gyokeres boasts an exceptional goal-scoring record, but there are understandable concerns about how this would translate to a higher level of football in the Premier League.
Scoring 43 goals in 50 games last season, he’s followed that up with a similarly potent campaign this time around, although a significant number of his strikes have been penalties.
The Sweden international strikes the ball with power and conviction, is excellent at running the channels, stretching teams with his pace and can combine with his teammates effectively.
| Gyokeres’s Primeira Liga Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Goals | 30 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Shots per 90 | 4.51 |
On the flip side, he isn’t aerially dominant and his touch can be loose at times.
Ultimately, he’s unlikely to develop into a superstar striker at this stage, but he can dovetail nicely with Kai Havertz and is a bargain at £50 million for everything he brings.
If the Gunners can’t land Isak, Gyokeres is a no-brainer.
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