Mikel Arteta is hoping to have Viktor Gyokeres in his squad by the time Arsenal head to Asia for their pre-season tour, according to a report from Portugal.
Sporting Lisbon's Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres #9 reacts at the end of the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and FC Porto at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 31, 2024. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images
Mario Figueiredo reports for Portuguese outlet CM Jornal that Arsenal want Viktor Gyokeres on their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, and they’re preparing a bid to sign the striker in time for the trip.
Recent reports have suggested Benjamin Sesko’s wage demands could force Arsenal to prioritise a move for Gyokeres instead, though A Bola report that the Swedish striker will only leave for a bid meeting the Portuguese club’s expectations.
Club president Frederico Varandas is committed to letting Gyokeres leave for less than his €100m release clause, but not for the €60m + €10m deal rumoured in recent months.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 22: Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between RB Leipzig and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Leipzig Stadium on January 22, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Alan Nixon reported on his Patreon last week that Sesko’s camp are looking for a much bigger salary than the Gunners plan to pay, which could push Arsenal in Gyokeres’ direction.
Gyokeres is reportedly realising he isn’t first choice at Arsenal, but he remains keen on a move to the Premier League.
If Sesko’s demands don’t change, it may not matter that Gyokeres wasn’t originally Arsenal’s priority, as that’s what he’ll become.
LISBON, PORTUGAL: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Borussia Dortmund at on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Both Sesko and Gyokeres recently concluded their campaigns by missing the international break through injury, though neither issue was believed to be particularly serious. The duo should be fit for pre-season, if Arsenal can get a deal done for one of them in time.
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