Arsenal have reportedly 'frozen' their pursuit of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who snubbed the chance to join Manchester United over the Gunners, to pursue former target Ollie Watkins
16:47, 15 Jun 2025Updated 16:48, 15 Jun 2025
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 25: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting looks on during the Portuguese Cup final match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio Nacional do Jamor on May 25, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres is set to leave Sporting this summer(Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
Arsenal have reportedly 'frozen' their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, despite the striker snubbing Manchester United to favour a move to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a new prolific forward and has promised fans an eventful transfer window. "It's going to be a big one and we are very excited about it," Arteta said earlier this year.
"The way we planned the five first summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different.
"But now when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step."
It's reported that Arsenal have now shifted their focus back to Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. The Gunners tried to sign Watkins during the January transfer window, claiming they were offered the forward as Villa looked to balance their finances.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arsenal tried to sign Ollie Watkins in January(Image: Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
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However, Villa ended up selling Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr instead, and Watkins remained at the club. The England international, who grew up supporting Arsenal, confessed in 2020 that playing for the Gunners was his "dream".
"Thierry Henry, as an Arsenal fan, was unbelievable to watch. He was my idol growing up," he told Sports Gazette at the 2020 London Football Awards when he was still playing for Brentford in the Championship.
"The dream is to play for Arsenal one day but it's a long shot. My family support them and stuff like that but that's the long term."
Gyokeres had become the top target for the Gunners' attack after netting an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances since his move to Sporting in 2023. The Red Devils had shown interest in the 27-year-old goal machine, but he made it clear his preference was for a club playing in the Champions League.
Yet, according to Portuguese news source Record, Arsenal's interest in Gyokeres has cooled off due to Sporting's hefty price tag. It's understood that Sporting turned down an initial bid of €55million (£47m) with another €10m (£8.5m) potentially coming from add-ons.
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Arsenal reportedly offered a total package of around €70m (£60m) for Sporting's star player, but the Portuguese club is holding out for the full £85m release clause. Sporting president Frederico Varandas was firm in his stance, stating: "Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me.
"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m+10m (£51m+£8.5m) because I never promised him that. This game that the agent is playing only makes the situation worse."