Arsenal have been warned not to sign long-term target Viktor Gyokeres in future transfer windows with the striker labelled as not being a ‘natural finisher’ by former Premier League striker Troy Deeney.
The Gunners are one of the teams to be heavily linked with an interest in the striker. Manchester United, who are now managed by former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim, have also been linked, but are not expected to make a move in the January window, which could leave the door open for Arsenal.
Gyokeres has caught the eye with his goalscoring record. He has scored 34 goals in 29 appearances for both Sporting and Sweden so far this season.
Three of those goals came in the 4-1 Champions League win over Manchester City last month. Despite that, Deeney believes that he wouldn’t have the same impact in the Premier League for either Arsenal, or Manchester United.
"You know when you say something the clip is going to come back in six months? I genuinely think he's a good footballer, he works really hard, all of that. But I don't think he's a natural finisher.” Deeney told talkSPORT ’s website.
"And again, everyone is going to pull up his goal record, I get that. But I don't think he takes either of those two [Manchester United or Arsenal] to winning the Premier League. That's just my opinion, and if he did, they'd have already bought him."
Some reports suggest that Gyokeres could be availabe for a fee of around £60 million in the summer transfer window, despite having a release clause of £83 million in his contract. He joined Sporting from Championship side Coventry City in 2023.
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