Arsenal transfer priority persists despite Viktor Gyokeres claims over deal being 'very close'

Arsenal have been linked with a big-money move for Viktor Gyokeres over the past couple of months with reports in the last 48 hours ramping up considerably. The Swedish striker is not at the European Championships like plenty other potential transfer targets as Sweden failed to qualify for the competition.

He reportedly underwent a procedure on his left knee according to the Record in Portugal to help correct an issue that was plaguing him. However, it was only thought to see him miss June and part of July according to the five to six-week recovery timeline meaning pre-season would still be playable for any club like Arsenal looking to sign him.

According to Portuguese outlet Leonino, they claim Arsenal are ‘very close to securing the signing of Viktor Gyokeres’ and that only financial details need to be overcome to complete the move. Well, financial details are of course very key to any move and the £86million release clause in the Swede’s deal would be a challenge for most clubs, especially in light of the Profit and Sustainability Regulations which clubs continue to try and abide by to varying degrees of success and failure.

football.london were told several weeks ago that Gyokeres was indeed one of the players on the list of centre-forwards the club likes and appreciates but tnothing has progressed in regard to what sources have said. The Gunners wanted a younger profile of player and although the former Coventry City striker is likely at the older end of that spectrum, at 26 he remains at a very good stage in his career.

The rather staggering 43 goals that were scored across all competitions, including 29 in the league, elevated Gyokeres to new heights in the sport. Despite a strong season at Coventry prior to his move into Europe – where he scored 21 league goals in 46 games – Sporting CP appeared one of the few top candidates to sign him.

After the club missed out on Benjamin Sesko, another of the strikers on the club’s list football.london understood, there was a feeling that the club would not move rashly. However, considering Gyokeres is not at the summer tournament, it does create greater freedom for potential negotiations if the reports are accurate.

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That said, a central midfielder remains the priority signing for the summer with Mikel Arteta wanting more depth in his squad as he aims for a third successive shot at the Premier League title. The ceiling remains incredibly high for the Gunners after their record-breaking season in relation to goals and wins, but the floor needs raising to better compete across multiple fronts.

Beyond a midfielder and striker there are needs in the wide areas, defence and depending on departures there could even be a necessity to sign a goalkeeper too. Despite the slow start, it remains to be a hectic summer transfer window when things kick into gear.