New Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer deadline emerges as Mikel Arteta sets key condition

New Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer deadline emerges as Mikel Arteta sets key condition

Latest Arsenal transfer news with an update on Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring a goal for Sporting CP

Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring a goal for Sporting CP (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta is hoping to have Viktor Gyokeres signed and part of his Arsenal squad for their pre-season tour to South East Asia next month, it has been claimed. Gyokeres, 27, has emerged as a top target for the Gunners following an excellent season at Sporting CP, where he scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 52 matches.

Manchester United and Juventus are among the other clubs interested, but Gyokeres has expressed his preference to move to north London and is desperate to get a deal done. Arsenal can offer Champions League football and maybe a push for the Premier League title once again next season – something that has persuaded the Sweden international.

Although there has been talk around a move even since before the start of the window, a deal is not close, and the Gunners are debating between Benjamin Sesko and Gyokeres.

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At this stage, The Sun claim that Sesko is Arsenal’s top target for the No.9 position, but while the Gunners are willing to pay £70million for the RB Leipzig man, they face a roadblock in a move for Sesko due to his wage demands.

Sesko’s camp have demanded a much higher salary than what Arsenal have proposed for the Slovenia international. That could force a complete change in direction for the Gunners.

Gyokeres is viewed as an immediate alternative, and now Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha detail that Arsenal are prepared to make another offer for the ex-Coventry City man.

It was reported in Portugal just over a week ago that Arsenal had made an opening bid for Gyokeres, and it appears that the Gunners will return with an improved proposal.

Correio da Manha add that Arteta is keen to have Gyokeres on board in time for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia. The Gunners travel to Singapore to face AC Milan on Wednesday, July 23, before taking on Newcastle United four days later. They then entertain Tottenham in Hong Kong on Sunday, July 31.

Sporting are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £68m for Gyokeres, two years since signing him for just £16.7m from Coventry. He has been a superb addition, having helped them to win the Primeira Liga twice, as well as the Taca de Portugal on one occasion.

Arsenal, meanwhile, may have scored the third-most goals in the Premier League last season (69), but they failed to have a single player register double figures in the top flight.

Their lack of firepower in attack became a problem as the campaign progressed, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus suffering serious injuries in the winter, leaving Mikel Merino as the makeshift No.9.

But the Gunners are determined to strengthen their forward line and get one over the line for next season, with Gyokeres targeted after an excellent season in Portugal at Sporting.