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Arsenal’s pursuit of attacking firepower continues — and this time, all eyes are on Victor Gyökeres, the powerful Swedish striker lighting up the Portuguese league with Sporting CP. Sources close to the player reveal that he has made Arsenal his priority and already expressed a clear desire to leave the Lisbon club this summer.

Gyökeres has reportedly told Sporting CP officials that he is no longer willing to continue with the club, even refusing to train until a transfer is secured. His sights are now firmly set on North London.

🔥 Why Arsenal Wants Victor Gyökeres

At 26 years old, Gyökeres has become one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. With a combination of pace, physicality, and technical ability, he’s a striker built for the Premier League. His 2023/24 campaign with Sporting CP has caught the attention of multiple clubs, but it’s Arsenal who lead the race.

With Mikel Arteta looking to add a reliable finisher who can hold the ball and press aggressively — Gyökeres checks every box. The Swedish forward’s style contrasts and complements existing options like Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

🔁 Internal Pressure and Arsenal’s Advantage

Victor Gyökeres is not entertaining other options at the moment. While Manchester United have shown interest, he has reportedly informed them that Arsenal is his first and only choice. This clarity gives Arsenal the upper hand in negotiations.

Moreover, the fact that Gyökeres wants Champions League football has tilted the scales toward Arsenal, who qualified again this season. That same motivation also drove Nico Williams’ Desire to Join Barcelona — highlighting how top players now prioritize UCL exposure.

💸 Financial Hurdles

Despite the green light from Gyökeres himself, Arsenal still face challenges. Sporting CP are unwilling to sell below his release clause, reportedly around €100 million. Negotiations are ongoing, with Arsenal looking to structure a deal that includes performance-based add-ons and sell-on clauses.

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It mirrors the strategy employed by Barcelona in the Ronny Bardi transfer, where timing and financial maneuvering played critical roles.

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⚽ Future No. 9?

Arteta sees Gyökeres as a long-term solution. While there’s still interest in other targets such as Viktor Gyökeres (Chelsea also monitoring), no alternative is as advanced or as favored by the player himself.

If signed, Gyökeres could wear Arsenal’s iconic No. 9 shirt and lead the line in both Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

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