‘Arsenal facing internal conflict over Viktor Gyokeres deal’: ‘Torn’
Arsenal are torn over whether to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his front line.
Former Premier League champions Manchester City fell below their usual standards this term, which could have opened the door for the Gunners to achieve top-flight glory.
However, Arsenal finished 10 points below league winners Liverpool, scoring 17 fewer goals than Arne Slot’s men.
The North Londoners must invest in a new striker this summer, even though they reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal are internally split over whether to sign Gyokeres
The Sporting striker has enjoyed a stunning season, scoring 54 goals and creating 12 assists in 52 appearances this season amid interest from Arsenal.
However, writing in The Mail’s Q&A [5 June], Isaan Khan revealed that the Gunners’ sporting director, Andrea Berta, admires Gyokeres, but the North London club face an internal split over whether the 27-year-old could perform in the Premier League.
Since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2023, the striker has helped the Portuguese giants win two league titles, notching an incredible return of 97 goals in 102 appearances.
Football insider verdict
Arsenal should resolve their internal dispute and sign Gyokeres
While Arteta and Berta may disagree over whether Gyokeres could be a successful acquisition for Arsenal, his astronomical numbers speak for themselves.
| Viktor Gyokeres stats | All competitions 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 52 |
| Goals | 54 |
| Assists | 12 |
Furthermore, there should be no qualms over whether the Sweden international can cut it in the English game, as he was a real asset for Coventry in the Championship before making his big move to Portugal.
The Gunners should also move quickly if they want to sign the forward, as Gyokeres has also been linked with Manchester United, who will be keen to find an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund’s services.
Unlike Arsenal, Man United do not currently have the pull of offering Champions League football, but the Sweden star could be keen to link up with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.
But if the Gunners do not act fast and beat the likes of the Red Devils to Gyokeres’ signature, it could scupper their chances of closing the gap to Premier League champions Liverpool.