Arsenal may have missed a golden opportunity to secure one of Europe’s rising stars, as competition for his signature is likely to increase significantly in the coming months.
Manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s Director of Football, Edu Gaspar, decided against pursuing one of their summer transfer targets due to the high price tag.
That player, Viktor Gyökeres, is already demonstrating that he was worth every penny of his hefty valuation, following an impressive start to the 2024/25 season.
Arsenal might soon regret their decision not to sign Gyökeres during the summer transfer window.
According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners opted not to chase the Swedish striker, deeming his £86 million release clause too expensive.
Romano explained, “Arsenal could have added another attacking player. But I don’t think it will be someone as costly as Viktor Gyökeres.
I think that’s too expensive, but maybe they will look for a winger, someone who can offer energy behind Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.”
Romano’s prediction proved accurate, as Arsenal ended up signing Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea instead.
However, with the new season already underway, Arsenal may be rethinking their decision to pass on Gyökeres.
The Swedish forward has made a blistering start to the 2024/25 campaign, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just five games for Sporting CP.
On top of that, Gyökeres recently scored three goals and assisted two more during two UEFA Nations League matches for Sweden, taking his tally to an incredible 10 goals and five assists in only seven games so far this season.
These impressive stats come on the back of an outstanding previous season in which Gyökeres netted 43 goals and delivered 15 assists in 50 appearances.
Such prolific numbers only add to the difficulty of justifying Arsenal’s decision not to pursue him during the summer transfer window.
Despite missing out this summer, Arsenal may still have another opportunity to sign the Swedish international.
Some of Europe’s top clubs are already well-stocked with elite strikers—Real Madrid has Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich signed Harry Kane, and Manchester City boasts Erling Haaland—so the competition for Gyökeres’ signature may not be as intense next summer.
If Arsenal struggles to find a reliable No. 9 this season, Mikel Arteta could be tempted to activate Gyökeres’ £86 million release clause next summer.
The striker’s lethal finishing ability could provide the firepower Arsenal needs to secure crucial points in challenging games, especially when they aren’t playing at their best.
