Arsenal ‘ready to open talks’ to sign 26-year-old striker | OneFootball

Arsenal Stepping Up Chase for Viktor Gyokeres as Summer Plans Accelerate

Arsenal are not just flirting with ambition this summer – they are throwing open the doors, uncorking the champagne, and making it known they intend to party with the elite. As reported by GiveMeSport, Arsenal are ready to launch official talks with the representatives of Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, with a £70m price tag on the prolific Swedish striker.

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It is a move that feels both inevitable and electrifying – and for once, it seems Arsenal might have a clear run at their man.

Berta’s Arrival Sparks Fresh Transfer Momentum

With Andrea Berta recently stepping into the role of sporting director, the winds of change are gathering force in north London. The Italian, known for his sharp eye and aggressive approach to recruitment, has wasted little time setting the tone. According to GiveMeSport, Berta is “leading the charge” to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates.

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This isn’t just an opportunistic grab. It’s a methodical pursuit driven by necessity. Arsenal’s winter window frustrations – notably the failed £45m bid for Ollie Watkins – highlighted a glaring need for a ruthless finisher. Mikel Arteta, always meticulous, appears determined to avoid a repeat. Gyokeres, with his blend of athleticism, intelligence, and relentless work rate, ticks every box Arteta cherishes.

£70m Fee Signals Ambition, Not Recklessness

For some, the £70m price tag may trigger flashbacks of the cautious Arsenal of old, wary of loosening the purse strings. But context matters. Sporting are reportedly willing to accept less than Gyokeres’ full release clause as a reward for his loyalty. This is no ordinary negotiation; it’s a rare case of goodwill greasing the wheels of a major transfer.

Crucially, Gyokeres himself is being selective. Per GiveMeSport, he will only join if he is “fully convinced they are the right fit”. It’s a refreshing, if slightly nerve-wracking, twist for Arsenal fans accustomed to players seeing the club as a stepping stone rather than a destination.

That Gyokeres, who recently scored four goals in a single match against Boavista, is now Arsenal’s “main focus” says everything about their intent. No dithering, no drawn-out sagas – just action.

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Rivals Step Aside as Arsenal Plot Clear Path

Fortune, too, is playing its part. Manchester United, once considered a likely challenger, are reportedly not preparing a bid. Chelsea and Liverpool are otherwise engaged, focusing on different options. Newcastle United – once linked – are no longer a threat, with Gyokeres reportedly doubting whether a move to Tyneside would “be a clear step forward”.

This rare clearing of the path leaves Arsenal virtually unopposed. Yet contingency plans are in place: Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins remain on the shortlist, a reassuring sign that lessons have been learned from previous transfer market frustrations.

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Still, this feels different. As GiveMeSport reports, there is a growing “increasing belief that the Sporting fan favourite is becoming more open to embarking on a fresh challenge at the Emirates Stadium”. The stage is set for Arsenal to finally land the heavyweight striker their project demands.

Personal Terms the Final Hurdle

The final piece of the jigsaw is personal terms. Currently on a modest (by elite standards) £64,000-per-week at Sporting, Gyokeres will understandably expect a substantial upgrade. Arsenal are reportedly eager to understand his demands and “steal a march on other admirers”. If the numbers align, the Gunners could soon have a ferocious new focal point leading their line.

After all, this is not just a transfer. It’s a statement. Arsenal are not looking to tread water. They are aiming to cannonball into the deep end of European football, with Gyokeres potentially serving as both battering ram and talisman.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis: Arsenal Fans Should Be Buzzing

If you’re an Arsenal supporter right now, you should be bouncing off the walls with excitement! This isn’t just another rumour – it’s the type of move that screams of a club ready to truly compete at the very top.

Gyokeres has everything Arsenal have been craving. Strength, pace, an eye for goal – and crucially, the mentality to lead the line. The supporters have seen too many nearly-men come and go, but here is a player who, fresh off obliterating Boavista with four goals, looks like he’s ready to step up and make Arsenal’s number nine shirt iconic again.

What’s especially good is the way Andrea Berta is going about it. No drawn-out drama, no public hand-wringing. Arsenal are moving smartly and aggressively, finally behaving like a club that expects – no, demands – excellence.

And the fact that Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are out of the race? That’s the footballing gods smiling down on them. Arsenal are in the driving seat, and with the Champions League spotlight only growing, what better way to cement their status than by signing one of Europe’s most lethal strikers?