Arsenal are close to finalising a move for Viktor Gyokeres.placeholder image
Arsenal are close to finalising a move for Viktor Gyokeres. | AFP via Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres has agreed personal terms with Arsenal ahead of his expected summer move.
The Gunners are in the market for a new striker this summer with Gyokeres and RB Leipzig man Benjamin Sesko emerging as the two leading candidates. Both players have been frontrunners to make a move to north London at points this summer but it now appears as if sporting director Andrea Berta has now finally chosen his number one target.
Arsenal close to marquee striker signing
Romano wrote: “Arsenal are now getting closer to signing Viktor Gyökeres after new round of talks in recent hours. Gyökeres will NOT return for training at Sporting as he’s fully focused on leaving the club; Arsenal are now advancing. Nothing done yet but discussions underway.”
There’s plenty of reason to be excited at the prospect of seeing Gyokeres lead the line for Arsenal. The talisman bagged 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last term and would arrive at the Emirates Stadium in a rich vein of form.
However, former West Ham and Charlton Athletic manager Pardew has warned that the transition to the top flight may see that output drop significantly. The manager was speaking on talkSPORT and made a comparison between Gyokeres and former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The latter has left the Toffees and become a free agent, sparking transfer links with Newcastle United and Manchester United. The Red Devils had also been linked with Gyokeres, but could sign Calvert-Lewin without a fee. Gyokeres is expected to cost Arsenal around £69 million.
Alan Pardew makes bold Viktor Gyokeres claim
Calvert-Lewin scored just three goals in another injury-plagued season last time out. Nonetheless, Pardew appeared to claim that the two strikers could score a similar number of goals if fit next season.
He said: "If you were going to do a contract with him, you'd certainly have something in place that he'd have to hit a certain number of appearances for him to reach a certain financial level. So if that was in place, I would be quite comfortable with him being in the squad because he's got talent, I think we all know that.
"When he is on his game, he's as good as any striker in the Premier League. If the contract was fixed in terms of a financial reward to come to the club, and they are contracts you can do, I think he’d be tempted by Manchester United. It could be a win. If you’re a United fan and you’re thinking Gyokeres is going to come through the door and work like he did at Sporting, that one is down the river.”
Asked more specifically if he was predicting a drop off in goals should Gyokeres make the move to Arsenal, Pardew added: “As we speak and are saying Gyokeres or Calvert-Lewin... actually, on their day, there’s not much between them. If Calvert-Lewin has a day and Gyokeres has a day, they're very similar. But of course, the consistency level of Calvert-Lewin and the fact he's not really on the pitch that often is the big, big problem with him."
In other news, 'Expected to complete' - Arsenal on course to announce new transfer within days.
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