The striker Arsenal desperately need

Viktor Gyökeres looked set to become Arsenal’s marquee signing for the 2024–25 season. The Swedish forward had already agreed to a five-year deal with the North London club, and the finish line seemed within sight. However, with only the final details remaining, negotiations with Sporting CP hit a deadlock.

According to reports from Portugal, Arsenal submitted an offer of €65 million plus €15 million in add-ons, reaching the €80 million Sporting initially asked for. But now, the Portuguese side is demanding €70 million fixed and only €10 million in bonuses. That last-minute shift could derail the move the Gunners were counting on.

A champion’s urgency

Arsenal know it: without a natural goal scorer, they won’t be able to truly challenge Manchester City or Liverpool for the Premier League. It’s been 21 long years since the Gunners last lifted the English title, and at the Emirates, the message is clear—they need a clinical No. 9 to take them to the top. After a brilliant season in Portugal, Gyökeres seemed like the perfect fit.

His return to Sporting for preseason has already been postponed twice, and all signs suggest he’s pushing to leave. But if the deal collapses, it would be a huge blow to Mikel Arteta’s project.

Fenerbahçe watching from a distance…

Meanwhile, José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe are keeping an eye on the situation from afar. If the Arsenal deal falls apart, they could make a move for the striker—possibly on loan. A long shot, but not off the table.

Gyökeres is such a prolific scorer that had he played outside the Portuguese league—with greater international exposure—he could’ve easily been crowned the 2024–25 Golden Boot winner. His name is already among the elite… but his immediate future remains uncertain.