Arsenal have reportedly received a big boost in their pursuit of Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the summer transfer window.
Viktor Gyokeres, 27, is one of the hottest properties in Europe after his brilliant goalscoring form for Sporting CP. The Sweden striker, who has scored an eye-popping 95 goals in 100 appearances for Sporting CP since joining from Championship side Coventry City in 2023, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
Manchester United are also interested in the centre-forward, with Ruben Amorim keen to get reunited with him, but the Gunners remain in pole position. According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Arsenal have been told to splash £60million for Gyokeres this summer. They are happy to make him one of the club’s top earners by handing him a £200,000-a-week wage packet if the striker decides to choose Mikel Arteta’s project.
Gyokeres has been banging goals left, right and centre ever since he joined the Portuguese side two summers ago. He has netted 38 goals in 32 league appearances, playing a key role in his side sitting at the summit of the Liga Portugal, tied on points with rivals SL Benfica, with just one game to spare. This is despite the Lions losing their head coach, Ruben Amorim, midway through the campaign to Man United.
Without further ado, let us take a look at Arsenal’s predicted XI with Gyokeres and one more summer target in the team.
Predicted Arsenal XI with two potential signings (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David Raya should continue in goal after a strong 2024/25 season.
Defence
Gabriel Magalhaes should be fit by the time next season commences. So, the Brazilian is expected to partner William Saliba in central defence.
Jurrien Timber is now the first-choice right-back under Arteta after he cemented his spot with consistent displays in Ben White’s injury absence. He is set to continue in that role, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori tussling for the left-back spot.
Midfield
The trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard has worked very well for Arsenal for large parts of the campaign.
However, with the Gunners having reportedly had a verbal agreement with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with the final step now to trigger his €60m release clause, the Spaniard should replace Partey at the base of their midfield unit next season. Zubimendi is likely to become the North Londoners’ first signing of the summer transfer window.
Attack
Should Arsenal manage to bring in Gyokeres, he walks straight into Arteta’s XI and becomes their main man in attack. The Swede has been a prolific goalscorer in Portugal, but replicating those insane numbers in England is an uphill task. At 27, he is entering the peak of his powers, and after failing to cut the mustard in the Premier League before with Brighton, Gyokeres would be super motivated to prove himself this time around.
With Gyokeres up top, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli should occupy the wide spots.
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