Arsenal may have missed a prime opportunity to sign one of Europe’s rising stars before competition for his signature becomes too intense.
Manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s Director of Football, Edu Gaspar, decided to pass on one of their summer transfer targets due to the high price tag. However, the player in question, Viktor Gyökeres, is already proving that he is worth every penny of his hefty valuation after a stellar start to the 2024/25 season.
Arsenal could soon regret their decision not to sign Gyökeres during the summer transfer window. According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners opted not to pursue Gyökeres, as they found his £86 million release clause too expensive. Romano stated, “Arsenal could add another offensive player. I don’t think it will be an expensive player like Viktor Gyökeres. I think this is too expensive, but maybe a new winger, a different type of player who can provide fresh energy behind Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.”
Romano’s prediction proved accurate, as Arsenal instead brought in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. But with the season now underway, Arsenal might be second-guessing their decision to pass on Gyökeres.
Gyökeres has had an explosive start to the 2024/25 season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just five games for Sporting CP. In addition, the Swedish striker recently netted three goals and assisted two more in two UEFA Nations League matches for Sweden, bringing his tally to an incredible 10 goals and five assists in just seven games so far this season.
These impressive stats follow an outstanding previous season, where Gyökeres scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 appearances. Such a prolific record makes Arsenal’s choice not to pursue him all the more difficult to justify.
While Arsenal may have missed out this summer, they could still have another chance to sign the Sweden international. With some of Europe’s top clubs already stacked with elite strikers—Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich with Harry Kane, and Manchester City with Erling Haaland—the competition might not be as fierce next summer.
If Arsenal struggles to find a reliable No. 9 this season, Mikel Arteta may be tempted to activate Gyökeres’ £86 million release clause next summer. His lethal finishing ability could provide the firepower Arsenal needs to secure crucial points in tough games, especially when they might not be playing at their best.