Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres is at risk of hitting a minor snag, with the Gunners currently unable to offer the superstar Swede his two preferred shirt numbers
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Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres could be denied his preferred shirt number if he joins Arsenal
(Image: Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres is edging closer to a dream move to Arsenal - but that doesn't mean he'll have everything his way. The Sporting CP sensation is one of the hottest strikers on the market, with top clubs from all over Europe queueing up to sign him.
After blasting 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Lisbon club - including 39 in the Primeira Liga alone this season - the 26-year-old has proven himself one of the most lethal finishers on the planet. And with Sporting reportedly willing to accept offers of around £60million (plus add-ons), the race for his signature is intensifying, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG all circling.
Arsenal are believed to be front-runners, but while they can offer the Swede a lucrative salary, a swanky home in the north London suburbs, and a starting spot in one of the strongest teams on the continent - what they can't offer him is his preferred shirt numbers.
Gyokeres has worn No. 9 throughout his prolific spell at Sporting, but with Gabriel Jesus occupying the shirt at Arsenal, it's currently unavailable. Another jersey Gyokeres appears to favour is No. 17, which he's previously worn at Coventry City, IF Brommapojkarna and with the Swedish national team.
However, that option is also off the table - for now - with Oleksandr Zinchenko currently wearing it. While the Ukrainian international has been linked with a summer exit, sources suggest Mikel Arteta won't be forcing him out if he opts to stay.
Still, it's not all bad news for Gyokeres. A few appealing alternatives remain - chief among them, the iconic No. 10 shirt, which has been vacant since Emile Smith Rowe's departure last summer. While Gyokeres has mostly worn other numbers at senior level, he's no stranger to No. 10, having sported it during his youth career.
Gyokeres at Sporting
Viktor Gyokeres has been wearing No. 9 at Sporting, but Gabriel Jesus has the shirt at Arsenal
Another option is the No. 16 shirt, left vacant following Rob Holding's departure in 2024. Gyokeres has worn the number on occasion with Brighton's U23s, though he's yet to use it at senior level.
While his choices may seem limited for now, the forward isn't necessarily restricted to the currently unassigned numbers. Should Jesus or Zinchenko agree to a squad number switch, Gyokeres could still land one of his preferred shirts.
It's not unusual for players to accommodate new arrivals by switching shirt numbers. A notable example came in 2021, when Edinson Cavani agreed to give up Manchester United's iconic No. 7 shirt so Cristiano Ronaldo could reclaim it upon his return. Similarly, in 2014, Chelsea's Oscar surrendered the No. 11 jersey to make way for club legend Didier Drogba.
Gyokeres at Coventry
Viktor Gyokeres wore No. 17 at Coventry, but the shirt is currently occupied by Oleksandr Zinchenko
But not all number swaps go smoothly. One of the most infamous incidents occurred at Inter Milan in 1998, when Ivan Zamorano was stripped of his beloved No. 9 shirt to make room for Roberto Baggio. Baggio took Ronaldo's No. 10, which in turn forced the Brazilian to claim Zamorano's No. 9 - leaving the Chilean striker without a say in the matter.
Unhappy with the decision, Zamorano responded with a now-iconic protest: he took the No. 18 shirt and added a '+' sign between the digits, visually creating '1+8' - a not-so-subtle reminder of the number he felt was rightfully his.
For Gyokeres, securing his ideal shirt number may not be guaranteed - but it's unlikely to derail a move to the Emirates Stadium. Ultimately, it's goals, not the digits on his back, that will define his spell in Arsenal, should he end up there.
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