Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has made his thoughts clear as the Gunners plan for the summer transfer window
Viktor Gyokeres signed for Arsenal from Sporting CP last summer(Image: Bruno de Carvalho/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Arsenal are preparing to resume their title bid as the club return to Premier League action. Mikel Arteta’s side will host Bournemouth on Saturday as the Gunners look to extend their lead at the top.
The club are currently nine points clear of rivals Manchester City, who have played a game less than Arsenal. The upcoming match with the Cherries could add to the team’s momentum following their last-gasp win over Sporting CP in midweek.
Arteta’s side scored late on to gain the advantage in the Champions League quarter-final tie ahead of the second leg. It was a particularly poignant match for Viktor Gyokeres as the Swedish striker returned to his old club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be plotting their moves ahead of the summer transfer window and have been linked with a highly-rated Brazilian teenager. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the headlines surrounding the Gunners.
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Viktor Gyokeres’ feelings clear
Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed a prolific spell with Sporting CP, scoring 97 goals in 102 games, which led to a marquee move to Arsenal last summer. The 27-year-old quickly became a fan favourite in Lisbon but the manner of his eventual exit could have altered that dynamic.
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The striker was the subject of a summer-long transfer saga that saw Gyokeres reportedly go on strike in an attempt to finalise his move to the Gunners. Sporting president made his stance clear at the time: “If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’ll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.”
Despite his time in Portugal ending on a somewhat sour note, Gyokeres demonstrated that he felt no ill will towards Sporting during Arsenal’s Champions League clash. Footage on social media showed the forward not celebrating Kai Havertz’s late winner with his teammates, seemingly out of respect for his former club.
Following this classy gesture, Gyokeres wrote on social media: “Great feeling being back to this special place with a lot of memories. Thanks for the reception, on to the next one.”
Brazilian transfer target emerges
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Sao Paulo teenager Lucca Marques. The 18-year-old has begun attracting attention after breaking into the Brazilian giants’ first team.
German publication Sports picture reports that the Gunners face competition from Borussia Dortmund for Lucca’s signature. He is valued at around £2.6million, though Sao Paulo would demand a significantly higher fee.
Despite interest from other European clubs, Sport Bild claims that Arsenal are furthest along in negotiations. The Brazil U20 international is under contract until 2028.
He is currently sidelined with a thigh injury, limiting him to six appearances so far this term. Overall, Lucca has played 16 times for Sao Paulo, scoring his first senior goal against Libertad in the Copa Libertadores last May.
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