Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer verdict - £55m gamble, Alexander Isak problem, Osimhen bet

Viktor Gyokeres has long been a name linked with a move to the Premier League. Since leaving Coventry City in the Championship in 2023, the Swede has plundered 85 goals for Sporting CP in 92 appearances.

He has 26 assists to his name in that time too. His incredible form has seen the Portuguese side put a big price tag on his shoulders, with Arsenal among those teams to have been linked with a move for him last summer and in the January transfer window.

Now Andrew Berta has arrived at the Emirates Stadium, as Edu's successor as sporting director, the Gunners' transfer plans are going to ramp up, with the rumour mill set to go into overdrive.

Reports at the weekend suggested Arsenal have 'developed a strong interest' in Gyokeres, although they will not be the only ones.

Should they make a move though? We asked our football.london writers to have their say.

Sam Truelove

I really like Viktor Gyokeres and he would be my pick of the strikers available this summer. Alexander Isak will likely cost too much and with the Gunners wanting to also sign a wide forward, central midfielder and goalkeeper, someone like Gyokeres makes more sense.

The Sweden international is one of the most clinical frontmen in the world right now and has shown over the past few seasons why his stock is so high. His experience with Coventry in the Championship means he already has had a taste of English football so any transition to the Premier League is likely to be that little bit more easier.

It's clear the Gunners need a clinical No.9 this summer. Gyokeres could be available and clearly needs to take the next step in his career. It could be a match made in heaven.

Tom Coley

Gyokeres' record speaks for itself but there are slight concerns with him that Arsenal would not be evident until it is too late. Whilst his speed, directness, and finishing are all exceptional, it does wait to be seen how he would cope in a division not offering as much space.

Arsenal often come up against deep defences and Gyokeres has not really been tested in this way before. Even when he has, the quality of opposition in Portugal has to be questioned.

If his legs can be unleashed and Arsenal were to feed him quickly through the channels or in one-on-ones, Gyokeres could thrive. That has not been their game, though.

Ultimately he has a lot of attributes which would still make him an effective goalscorer in England. The power of shot, running, and physical strength are all highly transferable. Gyokeres is someone who can go his own way and make something from positions Arsenal's current options simply cannot, which would be a great variable to throw into the equation.

Gyokeres' scoring rate is surely going to drop markedly in England, regardless. That is fine if Arsenal can find other ways to be threatening, but his best skills might not be as useful here as they have been so far.

Jack Flintham

Undoubtedly the signing of Gyokeres would be a gamble for the Gunners. The forward may have played in the EFL previously and scored a ton of goals in Portugal, but there is no guarantee he could replicate that in the Premier League.

The Swede will be available for around the £55million mark which is considerable outlay for a player who is 26. For not much more, approximately £63million, Arsenal could sign themselves Victor Osimhen who is an altogether safer bet.

The Nigerian has scored goals consistently at a higher level than Gyokeres and would offer Arsenal a centre-forward who has strength, pace and physicality. Osimhen is also 26 but you feel that he is less of a gamble considering the level he was playing at.

It is understood he wants to get a move sorted quickly this summer having missed out on a switch in the last end of season transfer window so the Gunners will need to act fast to secure his services.

Kieran King

Signing Viktor Gyokeres would be a major gamble for Arsenal. Yes, there is nothing to suggest that he wouldn't hit the ground running and score a ton of goals in the Premier League, but it's a completely different kettle of fish compared to the Primeira Liga in Portugal.

Gyokeres is available for around £55million which is a considerable amount for a player that is 26 and has not kicked a ball in the Premier League before. The Gunners would be better off spending that on someone who has experience in England's top-flight, such as Ollie Watkins.

While I don't think Arsenal should sign Gyokeres, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him succeed. His goalscoring record is immense, having netted 42 times in 42 matches this season.

Lee Wilmot

Viktor Gyokeres is surely moving somewhere this summer, given his impressive strike rate in Portugal. However, whether Arsenal is the right move is an altogether different question.

His goalscoring ability is undoubted, given his record in the Primeira Liga in the last two seasons. And after a season in the Europa League, Gyokeres proved he could do it on the Champions League stage too.

That will be useful for Arsenal, were they to sign him, but his lack of experience in any of the big leagues is surely a concern. Arsenal are likely to make it three seasons on the spin of finishing as runners-up in the Premier League and the last thing they want is for a big-money signing to need time to bed in.

Arsenal need a striker who can hit the ground running and fire them to the Premier League title. I'm not sure Gyokeres is that man. His countryman already playing in the Premier League will cost a hell of a lot more, but you're paying for experience with Isak and doubling the outlay is well worth it.

Joe Doyle

If you can't get Alexander Isak, then Viktor Gyokeres could be a very good option for Arsenal. There is a lingering doubt though, and it's a key one for me.

He hasn't yet proven himself at the top level. Yes, he's been in fantastic form so far and there's nothing to suggest he wouldn't be able to make the step up. But if Arsenal are going to spend big on a striker, he has to be able to go straight into the team and deliver.

The Gunners need to be targeting best-in-class transfers this summer after likely finishing second in the league for the third year in a row; Gyokeres could come in and maintain his current form - but it's not the sort of guarantee you'd get by signing Isak.