Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres as the Sporting CP star is set to sign a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta is on the verge of adding reinforcements to his strikeforce as the Gunners will add one of the most feared talismans in Europe.
The Premier League title challengers will finally end their wait for fresh attacking quality, having endured heartache in their previous three campaigns. Injury issues to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus curtailed their hopes of usurping Manchester City last term with Liverpool beating Arsenal to the summit.
Soccerhuz.com understands Arsenal are processing the final details to complete a move for their attacking transfer target and it has been reported that an agreement in principle has been reached.
For Gunners’ supporters, they can now start to plan and dream for what their attacking force will look like for the Premier League curtain raiser against Manchester United.
Many will be pondering over what squad number the new attacker will receive upon joining the club.
With that comes the question of what squad number he will receive, and with Gabriel Jesus currently occupying the number nine – one he wore for Sporting CP – it appears he will be forced to take another shirt.
The deal could see an Arsenal focal point take a different number to the traditional striker and the number nine. He could follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, who famously wore the number 14 during his trophy-laden spell at Highbury – which is currently vacant and available.
Throughout Gyokeres’ career, he has had different shirt numbers, including 12 and 17 at Coventry City and 14 at Swansea City.
On the international stage, he has predominantly worn the number 17, with stints holding 16 and 18 as well as the traditional attacking 11 and 10.
Former Arsenal target Alexander Isak currently occupies the number nine after emerging as a key attacker for Sweden.
In North London, there are multiple squad numbers available that could be snapped up by Gyokeres.
The number 10 has been unoccupied since Emile Smith Rowe completed his move to Fulham; the number 14 is also yet to be occupied following Eddie Nketiah’s exit to Crystal Palace.
The number 16 has recently been snapped up by Christian Norgaard after he swapped Brentford for the Gunners, meanwhile 18 and 20 are yet to be assigned following the exits of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jorginho.
