Arsenal have finally solved their striker conundrum by completing the $A113 million signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.
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See subscription optionsThe 27-year-old Sweden international, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese league title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is understood to have signed a five-year deal at the Emirates.
Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the Gunners as much as $A131 million with performance-related add-ons, takes the club's close-season spending to the region of $A410 million.
He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and forward Noni Madueke in moving to north London.
"When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against," Gyokeres said.
"That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase."
The Gunners face Newcastle United at the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their pre-season Asian tour against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.
Gyokeres moved to Brighton & Hove Albion from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry City, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.
After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton Town in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley Stadium, Gyokeres completed a $A42 million switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Lisbon side.
Arsenal, who have finished runners-up in each of the last three Premier League campaigns, spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
"Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," Arteta said.
"He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.
"We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him."
Australian Associated Press
