Viktor Gyokeres believes he can be the final piece of the puzzle for Arsenal this summer.
By all accounts, Arsenal are determined to sign a new number nine in the coming months, a task handed to new sporting director Andrea Berta.
And the name of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is right at the top of the Gunners’ shortlist.
Whether he’s truly ahead of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko remains to be seen, but in terms of Gyokeres’ preference, he’d be very keen to be wearing red at the Emirates next season.
Chuba Akpom wants Arsenal to sign Gyokeres over Sesko, considering the Swede to be the ‘win now’ option for Mikel Arteta.
But Arsenal are keeping their cards close to their chest, a race that could still go in either direction.
Viktor Gyokeres thinks he is the last piece of the puzzle for Arsenal
That being said, Graeme Bailey, chief correspondent at TBR Football has now provided an update on Gyokeres’ position amid reports that the striker is becoming very unsettled in Portugal.
Bailey described Gyokeres as ‘anxious’ to join Arsenal this summer, a striker who believes that he can elevate Arteta’s side to the next step.
Bailey explained: “There’s no smoke without fire, clearly, but my understanding is that Gyokeres just wants his future resolved — that’s how it’s been put to me.
“Whether that means he’s frustrated…we’re not even into July yet. Did his people expect to move in June? Probably not, and Arsenal haven’t signed anyone else yet.
Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP thanks the fans at the end of
Photo by Henrique Casinhas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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“It’s frustrating for Arsenal fans who haven’t seen a striker arrive yet, but deals for both Gyokeres and Sesko are on the table.
“Clearly Arsenal have done a lot of homework on Gyokeres and he does want to join Arsenal, but we haven’t got to the point where he’s rejected anyone else or anything.
“Gyokeres knows where he wants to be, it’s about legacy for him. He really wants to secure a good move and Arsenal are actually that.
“I think anxious is the word I would use for him. He’s anxious because he thinks he could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal.”
Viktor Gyokeres won’t be another Darwin Nunez in the Premier League
Of course, some Arsenal fans are still concerned about Gyokeres making the step up from Portuguese football to the Premier League.
Darwin Nunez hasn’t been able to replicate his Benfica form at Liverpool for example.
But when speaking in April, perhaps Sporting manager Rui Borges explained why Gyokeres is different, a player he claimed was ‘truly exceptional.’
Praising Gyokeres ahead of a potential departure, Borges said: “It is unlikely that another player of his quality will emerge in our league over the next few years. He is clearly above average.
“Sporting recognised his talent, and here we are. Fortunately, we have him at Sporting. We must make the most of the time we have with him because he is truly exceptional.
“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it, he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games.”
Clearly the kind of player and personality who could thrive at Arsenal, and TBR Football understands that Gyokeres could be available for around the £60m mark.
Moreover, given that Arsenal also want to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid, the Gunners could have a much-changed front three next season.