Viktor Gyokeres has been a player whom Arsenal have both watched, analysed, and considered as a potential candidate to be their new striker. The position is an area of the Arsenal team that is certainly a popular one among supporters to see an upgrade.
Gyokeres’ profile has gained plenty of support thanks to the more than 50 goal contributions he provided to Sporting CP over the course of the previous season. In what was his first campaign at the club having left Coventry City where he scored 22 goals in his final season the Swedish international has showcased a gradual progression.
Sporting CP have little interest in allowing Gyokeres to leave and will demand the €100million (£86million) release clause in his contract. It is a fee that looks unlikely for Arsenal to pay for a centre-forward unless there is some major movement in regard to outgoings.
Arsenal do remain compliant with Profit and Sustainability Regulations but the complications of the European Championships and Copa America are expected to delay transfer business. However, the reveal of Arsenal’s fixture schedule has only furthered the scrutiny to get deals done early with Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City all in the first five games and all away from home.
“That’s the ideal scenario, every club wants that,” Arteta said when asked about getting business done early in the window. “We want that as coaches and for the players especially you want that, and then for the team and the environment.
“When you do that, something clicks, something starts to build there and that’s really important because it starts to give you momentum. We have the Euros this season and Copa America, and it might be a different summer.”
Arsenal were able to secure their first summer signing this time last year when Kai Havertz signed from Chelsea. Bear in mind there were no summer tournaments delaying business however from the start of July the expectation will only increase exponentially as will frustration.
Sporting director Edu has earned the backing of the club and his work helping build a squad that has since competed for back-to-back Premier League titles is plenty to get behind. But as Arteta said on the final day of the last season when he told supporters not to be satisfied, the demand and pressure to deliver deals will not cease.
