Switch information skilled Fabrizio Romano has claimed though Arsenal admires Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, they had been nowhere near signing him within the 2024-25 summer time switch window. The Italian, nonetheless, has steered that issues may fall into place subsequent summer time.
Arsenal Had been Anticipated To Signal A Striker This Summer season
Arsenal’s pure center-forwards Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah chipped in with simply 9 targets within the 2023-24 Premier League season. Kai Havertz (13 targets) and Bukayo Saka (16 targets) did glorious harm management, however naturally couldn’t disguise the absence of a medical center-forward.
There was the expectation that Mikel Arteta would lastly have an environment friendly striker at his disposal this season. In keeping with studies, the North London membership was monitoring many high center-forwards, together with Ivan Toney (joined Al-Ahli), Victor Osimhen (joined Galatasaray), and Gyokeres. Not solely did Arsenal chorus from going after any of the three gamers however they opted to not bolster their center-forward place altogether.
Fabrizio Romano Explains Why Viktor Gyokeres Deal Did Not Materialize
In his Every day Briefing column for CaughtOffside, defined why Arsenal didn’t signal Gyokeres or any of the opposite high-profile strikers on their shortlist.
The Italian journalist revealed:
“Viktor Gyokeres continues to indicate his glorious kind for each Sporting and for the Swedish nationwide workforce, however was he near becoming a member of any membership this summer time? From what I’m listening to, there was by no means actually one thing shut or concrete when it comes to correct negotiations.
“There was clearly some curiosity, however golf equipment weren’t prepared to spend one thing loopy like €100m, his launch clause, this summer time. There was sturdy curiosity, particularly from England, for instance Arsenal in the beginning of the summer time had been contemplating strikers. Benjamin Sesko was somebody they had been eager on, Victor Osimhen was a possibility, then Gyokeres as nicely, however finally they determined to not spend that form of cash on that place.”
He added:
“Perhaps subsequent summer time that may change, however for this summer time Arsenal didn’t wish to make that form of funding for a quantity 9. Gyokeres stays appreciated, additionally by many golf equipment round Europe, however this summer time nobody was prepared to pay his launch clause, and so he was by no means near leaving Sporting. His membership had been by no means going to just accept one thing like €50-60m regardless of what some studies had been saying, so let’s respect Sporting now at the beginning of the season and see what occurs and if issues can change sooner or later.”
Gyokeres, 26, loved his best-ever season at Sporting CP in 2023-24, scoring 43 targets in 50 video games. He has had an equally blistering begin this time period, netting seven occasions in 4 matches.
