Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery could now come back to haunt the Gunners with Aston Villa in the transfer market this summer.
Since leaving Arsenal, Unai Emery has thwarted Mikel Arteta’s side more than once in the Premier League, a manager who’s enjoyed so much success since leaving the Emirates.
Arsenal have only won one of their last four games against Emery’s Aston Villa side, a team who European champions Paris Saint-Germain even struggled to overcome last term.
Although when it comes to this summer’s transfer market, Emery’s team aren’t in the same position as Arsenal — Villa have some PSR concerns to address.
But that might not prevent Villa from a late attempt to sign a player who’s already got a verbal agreement with Arsenal.
Aston Villa could now make a move to sign Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres
According to GiveMeSport, Villa might now make a late play for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
It was recently reported that Gyokeres had a verbal agreement to join Arsenal, even if the Gunners are far from agreeing a deal with Sporting.
But following the appointment of new scout Chris Badlan at Villa Park, the man who persuaded Coventry City to buy Gyokeres from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021, it’s believed that Villa could now enter the race.
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres during Casa Pia AC v Sporting Clube de Portugal - Liga Portugal Betclic
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
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Right now, Arsenal are keeping their options open somewhat — they’re keen on a deal for Gyokeres but they’re also putting a lot of effort into pursuing Benjamin Sesko.
And perhaps Villa do have an opportunity to steal in and strike a deal for Gyokeres, who isn’t quite top of Arsenal’s list despite the work they’ve put into a deal.
Sesko is in ‘pole position’ to join Arsenal right now, and Gyokeres’ camp might be aware of that fact.
David Raya has already explained why Arsenal need to sign Viktor Gyokeres
When deciding which striker to sign this summer, perhaps Arsenal should listen to some words from their goalkeeper David Raya last season.
Arsenal actually faced Sporting and Gyokeres back in November, and Raya labelled his counterpart as a ‘top player’, listing the Sweden international’s strengths at his press conference before the match.
Raya said: “We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one-vs-one and he is a top player in form.
“We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don’t give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet.”
And whether it’s Arsenal, Villa or another English side who end up securing a move for Gyokeres, the Swede looks primed for a crack at the Premier League.
But whilst Gyokeres wants to leave for around £60m this summer, Sporting might end up demanding a fair bit more.