Arsenal handed Viktor Gyokeres transfer boost with 'agreement close' after 'direct contact'
by Kieran Horn · football.londonArsenal and some of their Premier League rivals are finally starting to activate summer transfer plans. The Gunners need to make some marquee additions and also bolster their squad depth after injuries brutally exposed some areas of the pitch and the over-reliance on certain players.
A striker is also expected to arrive at Emirates Stadium with Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres all strongly linked. The latter currently appears the most likely to make the switch with Sporting CP allowing a potential departure for half of what Newcastle are demanding for Isak.
Elsewhere, both Manchester United and Manchester City are making big moves with talks underway for two of their top targets.
With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the big transfer stories and the potential impact on Arsenal.
Gyokeres twist
According to the Mirror, Arsenal have been told it will cost them £60million to sign Gyokeres. It is also said he will demand a weekly wage in excess of £200k which would see him become one of Arsenal’s top earners.
Reports in Portugal have also claimed he could leave for as little as £58.9million (€70m) which suggests his asking price will be in that region.
football.london says: For that price and considering what Gyokeres could bring to Arsenal, it seems an absolute steal. While Premier League experience for Isak and Sesko being 21 makes them understandably more expensive, Gyokeres is more than capable of making an immediate impact.
Though Arteta favours Isak, pursuing his signature could be futile if Newcastle secure Champions League football for next season. It is however, clear to see why Berta would rather bring Gyokeres to north London taking into account his staggering goal record.
Even with his lofty wage demands, it should have become quite clear to Arsenal that signing the best players requires a serious amount of finances.
Cunha to Man United
Cunha has also been linked to Arsenal but it looks as though Man United will be the team that sign him from Wolves. Given the fact Ruben Amorim is at Old Trafford, Gyokeres joining him there from Sporting CP was a possibility but that now looks unlikely.
That is because Goal Brasil's Valentin Furlan has claimed an agreement is almost complete with the transfer fee 'expected to hit' £62.5million - Cunha's release clause - plus a potential further £5m in add-ons and bonuses for Wolves.
football.london says: It is perhaps no surprise that Man United have been targeting Cunha over Gyokeres given his profile.
There are also concerns over the Brazilian's attitude and with Arteta wanting certain characters in his squad, Arsenal links to Cunha drying up was expected. United will no doubt get a player with bundles of ability but his discipline record is somewhat of a concern.
Bringing him to Emirates Stadium would have likely required a natural striker to still be signed.
Reijnders Man City 'talks'
Man City also look set to try and make a midfielder their first summer addition with the Athletic revealing contact has been made with AC Milan to express interest in Tijjani Reijnders.
Talks are at an early stage but Pep Guardiola's side are hopeful of an agreement.
football.london says: Just as they did in January, City are not messing around when it comes to their rebuild that is clearly needed.
The Dutchmen is capable of providing goals and assists with his engine being another trait that City are in desperate need of adding to their midfield. Arsenal have been tentatively linked but priorities are now almost certainly elsewhere.
Thomas Partey not signing a new contract could see that change, but even then the Gunners will be looking at more defensive-minded options.
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