Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed the club’s intentions to sign Viktor Gyokeres, only for the Swedish striker to ultimately join Arsenal. Gyokeres’ move to the Gunners followed a prolonged and complex negotiation with Sporting Club, during which several top European clubs reportedly showed interest in the forward.
Although Gyokeres was determined to make the move to Arsenal, Napoli had hoped to attract interest from multiple clubs to increase the transfer fee. The negotiations between Arsenal and his previous club were lengthy, with moments when the deal appeared at risk due to disagreements over various aspects. Despite these challenges, the transfer was completed, and Gyokeres is now officially an Arsenal player.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, De Laurentiis discussed Napoli’s strategy and their intentions regarding the striker. He explained that the club had been exploring ways to raise funds to secure Gyokeres’ signature, including the potential sale of key players. He stated: “PSG had offered over €200m for the Kvara-Osimhen package. However, I had promised Conte to keep him (Kvara), and I didn’t feel right about it. The idea was to use those funds to buy Gyökeres.”
The statement highlights Napoli’s ambition to strengthen its squad by investing in emerging talent, while also demonstrating the financial and strategic considerations involved in high-level transfer dealings. Despite these plans, the club’s desire to retain certain players meant that Gyokeres’ arrival never materialised.
Gyokeres, however, remained committed to joining Arsenal and may have turned down other opportunities in order to complete the move. His determination, coupled with Arsenal’s sustained negotiations, ensured that the transfer was finally concluded. Napoli, while interested in the striker, ultimately had to accept that the deal would not go through on their terms.
The episode illustrates the complex nature of modern football transfers, where player preferences, club strategies, and financial considerations intersect. While Napoli considered a significant investment in Gyokeres, the combination of Arsenal’s persistence and the player’s own choice determined the outcome. Gyokeres’ arrival at Arsenal adds to their attacking options and demonstrates the club’s ambition to strengthen their squad in a competitive transfer window.
