Paul Merson laughs at pundit's Viktor Gyokeres transfer prediction amid Arsenal breakthrough

Arsenal legend Paul Merson could only see the funny side as he listened to fellow Sky Sports pundit, Michael Dawson, assure that Nottingham Forest will be in the transfer battle for Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

Building up to the summer transfer window, it would appear the Gunners' priority must be a goal-scorer.

Mikel Arteta's side lacks one in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and makeshift option Kai Havertz and Saturday's dropped points against Everton acts as the latest evidence for a shortage of potency up top.

Of the names speculated to end that crisis, Gyokeres is the latest to re-emerge. Lately, it has been rumoured the Emirates Stadium is his preferred destination - while it's apparently agreed he can leave Sporting CP for €70-75m (£58.6-62.8m) this summer.

That said, Arsenal are not the only club out there looking to add a striker to their ranks.

The position is one in-demand across the Premier League, and so too at Forest. An injury to 18-goal Chris Wood on top of the already absent Taiwo Awoniyi left them light in that particular department for their Saturday night clash with Aston Villa.

And Dawson, speaking on Soccer Saturday, outlined his thoughts by saying: "They got back to the Premier League after 23 years and you look at the money they've spent, people said it was a scatter gun approach and it was to an extent, but he [owner Evangelos Marinakis] didn't care.

"He didn't care. He wanted to bring success back to Nottingham Forest, to the city, if they get in the Champions League guarantee they will go again.

"I look at the players they'll probably look at, I believe they'll be in the bracket of Gyokeres.

"People are talking about could he go Arsenal? Nottingham Forest will be in that bracket, and they will spend the money."

The ex-Forest defender added: "Merse is looking at me now like I've said something ridiculous, I'm telling you.

"[Matheus] Cunha I'd put in that bracket. Nottingham Forest and this owner will go out there to do everything, let me tell you. I've seen it hands on the way he is.

Throughout this the former Arsenal and England midfielder was laughing at the suggestion Forest could challenge Arsenal for Sporting's red-hot striker.

"You can have Cunha," Merson retorted, before asking his colleague: "Where, if you're Gyokeres... Would you go to Arsenal or Forest?"

Dawson was forced to admit: "Of course, you'd go Arsenal, no doubt.

"Could this be one season for Nottingham Forest? Could it be a freak? I'm not to sure, because I think this owner - what he believes and done and Olympiacos, I've seen it hands-on.

"He wants success and he's bringing it. He will not stop.

"We talk about recruitment, he's got ones wrong. He has, he's wasted money. But, he's got ones right."

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