Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya playing against PSG.placeholder image
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya playing against PSG. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal have completed their first signing of the summer but do not plan to stop there as they want to challenge for the Premier League title
Arsenal finally got their first arrival of the summer through the door on Tuesday as they announced a deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga - and several more new additions are expected to follow in the coming days and weeks.
While Zubimendi is expected to be a regular starter with Thomas Partey failing to agree a new deal - the Gunners need more players who will come in and improve their starting line-up.
A striker is the priority as Mikel Arteta eyes a lethal finisher who can take Arsenal to the next level and Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have emerged as the top targets for the Gunners.
Viktor Gyokeres talks advance as ‘five-year deal’ agreed
Gyokeres is eager to leave Sporting CP after scoring 97 goals and providing 28 assists in just two seasons at the club. However, there is uncertainty around how much Sporting will sell him for but fresh reports have indicated a deal is advancing.
Sacha Tavolieri has reported that talks are advancing with a five-year deal already agreed between Arsenal and Gyokeres. He said on X: “Arsenal Football Club now in advanced talks with Sporting CP in order to find a deal for Viktor Gyökeres. Gunners feels like they touching the final line on that case. 5 year deal already agreed.”
Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas has pointed to other Premier League transfers when it comes to setting the player’s value. He said: "I saw two players being sold in the Premier League -Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo - forwards who do not have the quality of Viktor, in my opinion. [They] were sold for around €75 million. We are talking about players who are 26 years old.
"So, given the demands we make in relation to Viktor's value, I believe he could leave.”
David Raya has already highlighted Viktor Gyokeres’ quality
Arsenal came up against Gyokeres in the Champions League last season. Ahead of the game, David Raya was asked about the striker and said: “We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one-v-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.”
Arsenal did manage to keep him quiet that night as the Gunners won 5-1 in Portugal. However, Arteta’s defensive unit has kept several big names quiet in recent seasons. Gyokeres scored six goals in seven league phase games last term, including a hat-trick against Manchester City - showing that he has the ability to step up against the best in the Premier League.
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