Arsenal focus on Gyokeres to address lack of a No9
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is believed to favour a move for striker Viktor Gyokeres in what is shaping up to be a key summer transfer window for the club.
The Sporting Lisbon centre-forward is expected to prioritise Arsenal over Manchester United – who have also continued to show interest – if he opts for a transfer.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, whom Arsenal tried to sign last summer, prior to Berta’s arrival in March, also remains a genuine option to bolster Mikel Arteta’s forward line. Arsenal asked again about Sesko in January, when they also made an unsuccessful move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Arsenal’s dream target is still understood to be Alexander Isak but the chances of persuading Newcastle United to sell their prize asset at a price that is affordable remain slim. Newcastle insist the 25-year-old, who has three years left on his contract, is not for sale.
Gyokeres, Isak’s Swedish compatriot, has emerged as the most realistic target and Sporting are expected to be prepared to accept a fee lower than his release clause. They have already drawn up a list of four targets to replace Gyokeres should he leave. The striker has yet to inform the club of where he wants to go.
Berta also tried to sign the 26-year-old for Atletico Madrid when he was in charge of recruitment there.
The former Coventry City striker, who has scored a remarkable 52 goals in 48 appearances for Sporting this season, was managed by Ruben Amorim until the head coach took over at United last November.
The pair have a good relationship but sources claim Gyokeres has told Amorim he would consider joining United only if he is guaranteed Champions League football. United could secure that if they win the Europa League but it is believed Arsenal are Gyokeres’s most likely destination.
Arsenal will finally address their lack of a genuine No9 in Arteta’s squad this summer as a priority. Their campaign has been hit hard by injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, with Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard filling in. But neither Havertz nor Jesus are bona fide centre-forwards.
One of the other positions Arsenal are targeting is defensive midfielder, with Spain international Martin Zubimendi expected to sign from Real Sociedad.