Arsenal are gradually moving away from pursuing Mikel Arteta’s ideal striker, with reports indicating that a potentially more lethal forward is being lined up as part of a €178m triple signing.
With a major summer ahead, Arsenal are determined to complete Arteta’s team puzzle. They are on track to finish as Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive season, but while Liverpool has allowed just two more goals than Arsenal, the primary gap lies in their attacking abilities.
Arsenal have scored 15 fewer goals than Liverpool, and although injuries have played a role, strengthening areas like Gabriel Martinelli and the striker duo of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz is seen as crucial for progress.
Alexander Isak has long been Arsenal’s top target for the striker role, but Newcastle’s asking price for the Swedish forward is over £130m, with reports suggesting a fee of up to £150m just to open talks. Furthermore, Isak is likely to remain with Newcastle if they secure a Champions League spot, with the team currently sitting in fifth.
As a result, Arsenal are reportedly starting to accept that Isak is out of reach and are focusing their efforts on signing Viktor Gyokeres, who has impressed in Portugal with Sporting CP. The 26-year-old has netted 85 goals and provided 26 assists in 92 appearances for the club.
Though it remains uncertain whether he can replicate this form in the Premier League, Arsenal are ready to take the gamble. Gyokeres has a €100m release clause, but sources suggest a “verbal agreement” with Sporting could allow him to leave for a significantly lower price, possibly between €65m and €70m, with some reports claiming €60m might be enough to seal the deal. Arsenal have reportedly already opened talks with Gyokeres’ representatives.
Additionally, it’s been suggested that Gyokeres favors joining Arsenal over a potential reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
In other transfer news, Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly met to discuss the potential signing of Nico Williams, who has been on their radar for two years. Arsenal tried to sign the Spain international last summer, but Williams opted to stay with Athletic Bilbao for another season. However, Arsenal are now leading the race and are willing to meet his €58m release clause, despite interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Regarding Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, David Ornstein has indicated that while rumors about Real Madrid’s interest in him have circulated, Arsenal expect to sign the midfielder by triggering his €60m release clause.
In total, Arsenal’s €178m investment could see them land Zubimendi (€60m), Williams (€58m), and Gyokeres (€60m).
Additional Arsenal Update
Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez. Scouts have been sent to watch the 22-year-old, who previously played for Real Madrid’s youth team before moving to Deportivo. Hernandez has had an impressive season, scoring 11 goals and providing 4 assists in LaLiga 2. Despite Deportivo being in Spain’s second division, they are asking for £30m for Hernandez.
