DONE DEAL: Arsenal signed 24-year-old striker for world-record fee of £122m as the superstar becomes Gunners most expensive signing in history
Arsenal are reportedly ready to renew their interest in prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres by making a fresh offer for his services, just when it looked like the chances of a spectacular transfer were done for the Manchester United target.
Adding a new No.9 to Mikel Arteta’s ranks remains a huge priority for the Gunners this summer after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both suffered serious injuries last season that ultimately ended up derailing their Premier League title hopes.
Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have been the main two names linked with moves to The Emirates, while the likes of Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic and Alexander Isak have also been mentioned in dispatches.
Sesko was Arsenal’s top target during the 2024 summer window, only for the Slovenia international to commit to the Bundesliga outfit for another season.
And while TEAMtalk can confirm that the 22-year-old talent very much remains on the club’s radar, the sheer goalscoring exploits of Gyokeres make the Swede a very hard man to ignore – despite the issues that have surfaced when it comes to trying to snatch the player from Sporting.
Gyokeres’ relationship with the Portuguese outfit has deteriorated, with club chiefs deciding to demand as much as €100million (£85m, $115m). That has led to the striker feeling ‘betrayed’ by the whole situation and ‘refusing’ to attend a clear-the-air meeting with the club, while Arsenal are refusing to pay anything more than an initial €55m (£47m, $63m) for Gyokeres.
However, multiple reports from Portugal are now claiming that the Gunners are set to ‘make a new offer’ for Gyokeres in their efforts to beat out United to the talented forward’s signature – given major concerns the player could link up with his former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford again.
While there is no actual mention of what the new offer will be, it’s likely that will be nearer to £60m (€70m / $81m). It’s also reported that Arsenal have also set a deadline for a transfer and that they want the player ro be on board for their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins against Milan on July 23.
Gallas pushing Arsenal towards Isak
While Gyokeres appears to be one of Arsenal’s leading targets, former Gunners defender Williams Gallas has told them to snub the Swede and sign his international teammate Alexander Isak instead.
The Newcastle frontman continues to be heavily linked with Liverpool, but it’s been continually reported that it will take in excess of £150m for the Magpies to even consider a sale.
Despite that, Gallas explained to Prime Casino: “Victor Osimhen is a top class striker but I could see him clashing with Mikel Arteta.
“Viktor Gyokeres would be a better fit, but Arsenal have to win the Premier League next season which means they need to sign Alexander Isak.
Isak is perfect for Arsenal and they should be going all out to sign him. He would adapt instantly and give them the best chance of winning the title out of any player in the world, they don’t have time to let a striker adapt.
“Arsenal should go and break the bank for Isak. He is a 20 goal a season striker and he would be surrounding himself with quality players.
“He wouldn’t be cheap so it’s up to the board, but he is guaranteed goals.”
Here’s the latest on **Arsenal’s renewed approach for Viktor Gyökeres** — and how he fits into their summer striker strategy:
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### 🔁 **Fresh Bid Incoming**
* Arsenal are **preparing a new offer** — believed to be around **£60 million (€70m)** — for Sporting’s prolific frontman, sealing their intent to push harder than ever ([thesun.co.uk][1]).
* The new bid arrives just as Manchester United were considered dark horses to sign him, but Arsenal are determined to move fast and claim Gyökeres before their rivals can ([sportsmole.co.uk][2]).
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### ⚖️ **Valuation Gap & Club Relations**
* Sporting are holding firm, demanding up to **€100 million (£85m)** — a dramatic increase from the earlier gentleman’s agreement at **\~£60m** .
* Gyökeres is reportedly **disillusioned**, feeling “betrayed” by Sporting’s stance and refusing to engage in reconciliation talks — which may pressure Sporting toward a sale ([talksport.com][3]).
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### ⏱️ **Deadline & Pre-Season Ambitions**
* Arsenal want a deal concluded well ahead of their **July 23 pre-season tour in Asia**, ideally forcing Sporting’s hand before the summer intensifies .
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### 🔍 **Plan B vs. Alternative Options**
* While Gyökeres is a leading candidate, Arsenal are also monitoring:
* **Benjamin Sesko** (RB Leipzig) — younger with high potential, but wage demands are stalling progress ([thesun.co.uk][1]).
* **Alexander Isak** (Newcastle) — seen by some, like William Gallas, as the Premier League-proven choice; however, Newcastle’s **£150m** valuation puts him out of reach ([arsenalnews.co.uk][4]).
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### 🗣️ **Expert Insight**
* **William Gallas** thinks Isak is a safer bet given league experience, while **Mikael Silvestre** prefers Gyökeres for his physicality and finishing — highlighting the difficult decision Arsenal face ([en.nogomania.com][5]).
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### ✅ **Final Take**
Arsenal are doubling down on Gyökeres, determined to **submit a compelling £60m offer** and conclude negotiations before financial demands escalate. With Sesko and Isak still options, the clock is ticking — the **striker position is critical**, and Arteta wants it resolved before pre-season begins.
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Would you like a **side-by-side comparison** of Gyökeres, Sesko, and Isak — breaking down how they’d fit Arteta’s system and which is most realistic given finances?
* [thesun.co.uk](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35382625/arsenal-transfer-news-live-barcola-gyokeres-sesko-updates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [thesun.ie](https://www.thesun.ie/sport/15404077/viktor-gyokeres-transfer-decision-man-utd-arsenal/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[2]: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/hes-more-established-which-striker-should-arsenal-prioritise-over-isak_563213.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Arsenal given Viktor Gyokeres transfer approval as Mikel Arteta sent Alexander Isak message – Sports Mole”
[3]: https://talksport.com/football/3302791/viktor-gyokeres-transfer-decision-arsenal-man-united/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Viktor Gyokeres has told family and friends which Premier League club he expects to join”
[4]: https://arsenalnews.co.uk/2025/05/02/william-gallas-tells-arsenal-to-sign-alexander-isak-instead-of-viktor-gyokeres/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “William Gallas tells Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak instead of Viktor Gyokeres – ArsenalNews.co.uk”
[5]: https://en.nogomania.com/read/Ex-Arsenal-defender-questions-Gyokeres-move-Im-not-sure-he-can-be-one-of-Europes-best-strikers?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Ex-Arsenal defender questions Gyokeres move: “I’m not sure he can be one of Europe’s best strikers” – News – Nogomania”
