Some of Arsenal’s business in the transfer market has been questioned over the last couple of days, especially considering the big money spent by some of their rivals.
The Gunners agreed a £52m deal with Chelsea for the Englishman’s signature, in a move which is expected to see the 23-year-old be a backup to Bukayo Saka.
Such dealings are expected to just be squad additions, with various other key areas of Mikel Arteta’s side in desperate need of investment over the coming weeks.
Various targets have been on their radar in recent times, but it appears as though they could be edging closer to landing a star who could make the difference in their Premier League title charge.
The attacking third has been the area of most attention this window, with Eberechi Eze one player who could still move to the club given his £68m release clause.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains a key option, with the Brazilian expected to be allowed to depart the LaLiga outfit this window, which could aid the Gunners’ quest for his signature.
However, work has been done for additions elsewhere, with Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres now at long last set to become an Arsenal player.
The news was reported by a number of sources on Sunday evening, firstly by The Athletic’s David Ornstein who revealed that an agreement in principle has been reached for the Swede to move from the Portuguese side to the Emirates Stadium.
It’s revealed that a deal worth €63.5m guaranteed + €10m in add-ons has now been agreed.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has shared that a “very good phone call with Mikel Arteta” has left the deal “on the verge” of being completed, with Gunners insider Hand of Arsenal revealing that a medical has now been planned.
Mohamed Salah is a player who has caused countless problems to numerous backlines within the Premier League, with every side wishing they had a talent of his quality.
The Egyptian has registered 186 goals in England’s top-flight, with his tally of 29 in his 38 outings last campaign firing Arne Slot’s outfit to the title and losing just four matches.
He’s scored 11 times in his 18 outings against the Gunners, including the equaliser in the 2-2 draw between the sides in North London back in October last year.
His two-year contract extension will see him continue to offer a constant threat to Arteta’s side once again in the near future, but the Gunners could land their answer to the forward this window.
Gyokeres could be just that man, offering the club the clinical and consistent presence in front of goal that they have desperately been lacking over recent seasons.
Their highest league goalscorer last season was Kai Havertz, who only registered nine goals, with no player managing to achieve double figures in England’s top-flight.
The Swede could be about to change that, given his record for Sporting in the 2024/25 campaign, managing to find the net on 54 occasions in his 52 outings across all competitions.
Gyokeres, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, has managed to register 2.2 shots on target per 90, getting 52% of his efforts on target – with such a record handing Arteta the quality he craves in front of goal.
Doubts have been raised about his all-round ability, but he’s showcased his all-round ability, creating 2.1 chances per 90, whilst winning 51% of the aerials he’s contested – subsequently offering that focal point the side need this summer.
£70m may appear to be a massive sum of money for an unproven talent, but his goalscoring record in recent seasons is certainly worth taking a risk on, with the positives outweighing the negatives.
If he can move to England and have a similar impact to Salah, he would be a sensational addition and one that could transform the club’s ambitions of ending their title drought.
