Arsenal are intensifying their pursuit of a new striker this summer, with Sporting CP’s prolific forward Viktor Gyokeres emerging as a prime target for manager Mikel Arteta. As the Gunners aim to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season, Gyokeres’ remarkable goal-scoring form has positioned him as a key figure in Arsenal’s transfer plans.
The 26-year-old Swedish international has taken the Primeira Liga by storm since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2023. With an astonishing record of 85 goals and 26 assists in 92 appearances, including 30 goals in 26 league games this season, Gyokeres has established himself as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers. His performances have not only helped Sporting secure the Portuguese title last year but have also caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, with Arsenal reportedly leading the race.
Mikel Arteta’s search for a new centre-forward comes as Arsenal grapple with a lack of depth and consistency up front. The recent season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have exposed the team’s vulnerabilities, forcing Arteta to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency striker. While Havertz has shown promise in a false-nine role and Jesus remains a talented option when fit, neither has provided the clinical edge Arsenal need to compete with the Premier League’s elite. The club’s failed attempts to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and AC Milan’s Alvaro Morata earlier this year have only heightened the urgency to secure a proven goal-scorer.
According to reports from The Athletic, Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director, Andrea Berta, is a long-time admirer of Gyokeres and views him as a realistic and impactful addition to the squad. While Arteta is known to be a fan of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, the Magpies’ reluctance to part with their star striker—and the hefty fee required—has shifted Arsenal’s focus toward the Sporting standout. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has also been considered, but Gyokeres’ experience and current form make him a standout candidate.
Gyokeres’ contract with Sporting includes a €100 million (£83.6 million) release clause, though sources suggest the Portuguese club could accept a lower fee—potentially around £63 million—in the summer window. This reduction could prove crucial for Arsenal, who are navigating financial constraints while aiming to strengthen multiple areas of the squad. Arteta’s close relationship with Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, might also give the Gunners an edge in negotiations, with the club reportedly planning a formal meeting to discuss a potential transfer.
The Swedish striker’s playing style—combining physicality, technical ability, and a relentless desire to score—has drawn comparisons to Tottenham’s Harry Kane, albeit with a unique journey that saw him flourish later in his career. After stints at Brighton & Hove Albion and Swansea City, it was at Coventry City where Gyokeres truly found his footing as a central striker, a role he has since perfected in Portugal. Arsenal fans will hope he can replicate that success in the Premier League, though some caution remains given the mixed track records of Primeira Liga strikers transitioning to England.