£69m star who has agreed terms with Arsenal, now praises three Gunners stars

Arsenal are on course to strengthen their forward department in the coming days.

The Gunners recently confirmed the arrival of Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard.

The Dane has become the club’s third summer signing after Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi.

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke could be the next acquisition. He is currently in London for his medical.

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has also given the green light for a transfer. Arsenal are negotiating with the Portuguese champions to find a suitable agreement.

Amidst this, France Football have published an interview with Gyokeres (initially held in late May) where he spoke about the opportunity to play in the Premier League.

Gyokeres did not make a single top-flight appearance during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion and said that it would be ‘great revenge’ if he could prove himself in the league.

He said (via L’Equipe): “It’s one of the biggest leagues in Europe. I spent several years there without being able to play a single match. So, of course, it’s something I’d like to do. It would be great revenge.”

When pressed on players he admires, Gyokeres praised three Arsenal stars in Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. He described Gabriel and Saliba as ‘very high-level defenders’.

He added: “Yes, definitely. Especially at English clubs. Midfielders like Bernardo Silva, [Mateo] Kovacic at City, or [Bukayo] Saka at Arsenal are impressive to watch.

“I’ve also faced very high-level defenders, like [the Gunners’] Gabriel and [William] Saliba. It’s a chance to play against those kinds of players.”

The Sweden international had a sensational debut campaign with Sporting CP in 2023/24. He scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists from 50 appearances in all competitions.

He went on to replicate his performances with an even better season. The 27-year-old registered 54 goals and 13 assists from 52 appearances during the previous campaign.

Gyokeres is presently at the peak of his career and looks set to pursue a bigger challenge.

He appears hellbent on joining the Gunners during the current transfer window, and has already indicated that he won’t be reporting for pre-season training at Sporting CP.

Mikel Arteta’s side are willing to match Sporting’s £69 million valuation for the striker, but there is presently a small gap over the fixed fee, which has stalled negotiations.

Arsenal have offered £4.3m less than what Sporting CP are looking for (£60.6m)

A deal is still very much on, as per Fabrizio Romano. With the slight difference over the fixed package, it may not be long before the Gunners secure a deal for the marksman.

The Swede has already agreed terms on a five-year contract with Arsenal.

The Gunners travel for their pre-season tour of Asia on July 19. Manager Mikel Arteta may ideally want Gyokeres in the group to get adequate preparation for the new season.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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