Arsenal’s hunt for a striker is almost over, with the Gunners now closing in on signing Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
The race to become Arsenal’s number nine seems to have concluded.
Gyokeres is eager to join Arsenal, and the Gunners have now shown their desire to sign the 27-year-old this summer.
As the player’s relationship with Sporting CP grows stale, the North Londoners have exploited the fallout and are progressing in talks, edging closer to striking an agreement.
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Arsenal advancing in talks for Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is a known admirer of Gyokeres, making links rather unsurprising.
Renowned journalist David Ornstein has now revealed that the Gunners are in ‘advanced talks’ with Sporting CP over the transfer of Gyokeres.
The Athletic reported that discussions are ‘progressing towards a conclusion’ with personal terms in place for a five-year contract.
Berta is, of course, the driving force behind negotiations; however, Mikel Arteta is also playing his part.
The Arsenal manager is understood to be ‘pushing’ to have the transfer brought to a ‘swift conclusion’ ahead of the Gunners’ pre-season plans.
After a long and tedious wait, Arteta appears to have found his number nine.
Premier League’s top five scorers in 2024/25 – How Gyokeres compares
There are some reservations about Arsenal signing Gyokeres due to the difference in level between the Premier League and the Liga Portugal.
What can’t be denied is the Swede’s consistency in front of goal, whether it be in the Portuguese top flight, the Champions League, or internationally.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Conversion % | Shots on target p/g |
| Mohamed Salah | 29 | 18 | 22% | 1.6 |
| Alexander Isak | 23 | 6 | 23% | 1.4 |
| Erling Haaland | 22 | 3 | 20% | 1.9 |
| Chris Wood | 20 | 3 | 29% | 1.0 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 20 | 7 | 24% | 1.1 |
| Viktor Gyokeres | 39 | 7 | 28% | 2.4 |
As seen above, Gyokeres is up to the task of being the deadly number nine that Arteta has needed for so long.
Only Chris Wood boasts a higher shot-to-goal conversion rate than the Arsenal target, who also averaged 2.4 shots on target per game last season.
Arteta’s wishes are close to being answered, with Arsenal’s favoured target now known.
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