Arsenal are set to end their striker woes with the signing of Viktor Gyökeres. Although the Gunners have been linked with the Swedish international since the conclusion of the last Premier League season, recent reports show that the club has made significant progress in pursuing the 26-year-old forward. According to Portuguese news outlet Leonino, Arsenal are very close to completing the deal for Gyökeres. The Sporting CP sharpshooter currently has a release clause of £86M, which many experts, including Fabrizio Romano, believed could block Gyökeres’ transfer to Arsenal, as both clubs are £20M apart on the player valuation.

Leonino now claims that Arsenal have agreed to a deal for Gyökeres that could see him departing Sporting CP for the Emirates for an initial fee of £86m (which could increase to £102m plus add-ons). Gyökeres has been one of the hottest number nines in Europe over the past year, scoring 43 goals and registering 15 assists for Sporting, who bought him for just €20M in 2023. His outstanding performance in the Portuguese top division has drawn interest from top clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, with Arsenal being at the forefront of securing his signature.

Why Is Arsenal on the Hunt for a New Striker?

Arsenal were the second-highest-scoring team in the last Premier League season with 91 goals, but that statistic hides the truth about Arsenal’s current crop of strikers. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah were out of the team for months during the season due to serious injuries – and even when they were available to play, neither has done well consistently enough to show he can lead the Gunners’ charge next season. Both found the net a total of 16 times in the league in the last campaign, which was not enough to clinch the title from reigning champions Manchester City. While Kai Havertz has performed well as a makeshift striker, many will agree that he is not a true number nine. Therefore, it’s clear that Arsenal needs to strengthen their frontline, and Gyökeres fits the bill.

What Are Gyökeres’ Biggest Strengths?

Gyökeres is one of the most in-form strikers in Europe at the moment. The Swede is a natural finisher who can score all types of goals, from headers to powerful strikes and accurate placements. At 6’1”, Gyökeres is capable of playing as a target man, bringing a physical presence to the attack and posing a huge threat in the opposition box. He is also very sharp, agile, and vigilant, making him a killer in front of goal. His incredible technical ability allows him to drop deep and link up with his teammates, creating space behind for others to exploit.

Another exciting aspect of Gyökeres’ game is his electrifying pace. He is very quick on the turn and a powerful runner with or without the ball, allowing him to beat defenders with ease. Aside from being a deadly striker, Gyökeres can also provide assists. His great vision and excellent passing ability enable him to create goal-scoring chances for others. He is also an efficient penalty taker, with a 100% conversion rate last season.

Would Gyökeres Be a Great Signing for Arsenal?

If the Gyökeres deal went through, he would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal side. First, he is a clinical striker who can score many goals for the team as they push for the title. Also, Gyökeres is not new to the English game, having already played for Championship side Coventry before joining Sporting CP. He has also spent time on loan to Swansea City and Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Gyökeres would perfectly suit the Arsenal style of play under Mikel Arteta. Besides, he is barely 26 years of age and can develop into an even better player under the tutelage of the Spanish manager. With a buy-out clause of €90M, Gyökeres is a cheaper option than other elite strikers, like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who could cost upward of £100M to bring to the Emirates and does not have Premier League experience.

Conclusion

Arsenal are on the edge of signing highly-rated striker Gyökeres, with a deal of €90M already agreed upon with Sporting CP. This is exciting news for the Gunners’ supporters, as Gyökeres may be what the team needs to eventually lift the title they have come so close to winning on the last two occasions. Arsenal are renowned for splashing the cash on top talents who seem like a perfect fit for the club – and some fans and gambling enthusiasts who love seeing slot apps ranking on the App Store and Google Play like keeping up to date with these huge transfers to know how to bet. With Gyökeres’ signing, Arsenal can boost their attack and show they are ready to compete once again for Premier League glory.