Viktor Gyokeres follows £173.5m Arsenal transfer example to give final green light Latest Arsenal transfer news with summer target Viktor Gyokeres making his intentions perfectly clear.

Arsenal transfer target Viktor Gyokeres has just done something that three previous Mikel Arteta signings did. (Image: (Photo by Maciej

Viktor Gyokeres has just done something that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will love amid his ongoing Sporting CP transfer saga. The Swede and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are the strikers being targeted with talks ongoing for both.

That has become new sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer process, with it allowing for flexibility before a final decision is made. Following his arrival at Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres seemingly became the favoured signing but it now looks to be Sesko.

Gyokeres meanwhile has seen multiple drastic twists and turns take place regarding his future in Portugal. The first of those arrived earlier this month when Sporting president Frederico Varandas revealed there was no gentleman’s agreement allowing him to leave for £60million (€70m).

The 27-year-old then fired his own response, before his representatives turned down the chance to go for peace talks with Sporting officials. That was a second rejection of an invitation in just 24 hours with Italian media stating he has turned down Juventus despite talk of a stunning £11million-per-year package offer.

Corriere dello Sport added that the Italian side have been informed that the striker wants to join the Gunners this summer. This comes after Manchester United also learnt that he only had eyes for north London.

This is the dream response for Arteta with the Spaniard wanting targets to consider Emirates Stadium as their only destination.

Manchester City tabled a bid for Declan Rice, before Arsenal reached a £105million agreement with West Ham to sign him. The midfielder later revealed how Arteta helped convince him that arriving in north London was the best options
Viktor Gyökeres’ recent decision to reject alternative transfer offers—specifically Juventus’ lucrative £11 million-per-year package—in favor of Arsenal is a significant development that aligns with Mikel Arteta’s ideal recruitment profile. This mirrors a crucial psychological and strategic pattern seen in several high-impact signings under Arteta’s regime.

In essence, Gyökeres has replicated a precedent set by the likes of *Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus,* and *Kai Havertz*—all of whom demonstrated a clear, singular intent to join Arsenal despite rival offers. Arteta places immense value on this kind of unwavering commitment; it fosters a culture of loyalty and tactical adherence which has been foundational to Arsenal’s resurgence.

Gyökeres’ rejection of a Juventus approach—and previously, Manchester United’s interest—signals not only his personal ambition to compete under Arteta’s progressive tactical system but also a recognition of the project’s competitive maturity. The fact that his representatives have now twice refused peace talks with Sporting CP’s hierarchy further illustrates the firmness of his stance, adding pressure to Sporting, who no longer benefit from a gentleman’s agreement to sell him at €70 million.

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas’ hardline stance, and Gyökeres’ rebuttal, suggest that the player is applying internal leverage to facilitate his departure. This kind of agency-led maneuvering has become more prevalent among elite-tier players seeking specific career trajectories, and Arsenal—backed by new sporting director Andrea Berta—are using it to their advantage by keeping multiple negotiations fluid (with Benjamin Šeško also in the frame) to preserve leverage and optionality.

Arteta’s preference for players who actively *choose* Arsenal—both professionally and ideologically—cannot be overstated. As seen with Declan Rice, who spurned Manchester City despite their superior trophy count, the manager’s persuasive vision for Arsenal’s future remains one of the club’s strongest recruitment tools.

In summary, Gyökeres’ behavior echoes the Arteta-era blueprint: a focus not just on physical attributes or tactical fit, but also on character, ambition, and alignment with the club’s long-term vision. Whether Arsenal ultimately activates his €100 million release clause remains to be seen, but his intentions have positioned him as a strategic asset in the Gunners’ evolving summer transfer narrative.