Arsenal transfer news: Viktor Gyokeres speaks out as Brighton star added to shortlist

Arsenal are chasing the signature of Sporting Lisbon’s star striker Viktor Gyokeres following the end of the season, but they also want to sign a winger in the summer transfer window

It is full steam ahead for Arsenal in the summer transfer window after they concluded their 2024/25 season with a 2-1 win over bottom side Southampton on Sunday. The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for the third straight season and know that they must strengthen their squad to close the gap.

The lack of firepower up front has been a constant problem over the past three campaigns and, with new sporting director Andrea Berta in place, they are not going to stand idle any longer. Sporting Lisbon concluded their season with a victory over Benfica in the cup on Sunday and it is now finally time to address the future of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sweden international finished the season with a preposterous 53 goals and 13 assists from 51 games across all competitions and Sporting know they can’t keep hold of him any longer. They are willing to negotiate his exit and the Gunners hope they are at the front of the queue, with £60million expected to be enough to sign him.

That isn’t the only position Mikel Arteta wants strengthened, though, with a top-class winger still on the shortlist too. Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo are of interest, but there is a new name in the mix now too. Here Mirror Football rounds up all the latest transfer news involving Arsenal.

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Gyokeres breaks his silence

Gyokeres is now free to decide on his next club after scoring yet another crucial goal for Sporting. He netted in added time to take the Portuguese Cup final into extra time, where Sporting triumphed 3-1 over Benfica.

Speaking afterwards, there was only one topic that everyone wanted to discuss. “Let us see,” Gyokeres said. “It’s hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.”

Asked specifically about Arsenal, he added: “I don’t know, I just focus on this. I’ve tried to focus on the last games because it’s so important and I don’t want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let’s see in the summer.”

Mitoma on Gunners’ shortlist

Arsenal have long been keen on Athletic Club star Nico Williams, but sporting director Andrea Berta is not putting all his eggs in one basket this summer. The Gunners are also reportedly interested in signing Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, who’s also a target for Bayern Munich.

The Japan international, who’s under contract until June 2027, enjoyed his most prolific season in England to date, scoring 11 goals, and Sky Germany report that Berta has identified Mitoma, 28, as a candidate.

It is believed that Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains the Gunners’ dream target but should he not be available, they could challenge Bayern for Mitoma’s signature.

Barca winning race for keeper

Barcelona are ready to offer Joan Garcia the chance to join Valencia on loan next season in fear of missing out to Arsenal on the sought-after Espanyol goalkeeper.

Garcia, 24, has been linked with a number of clubs, including Arsenal, and the Spaniard has a €25million (£21m) release clause which is active until June 30. Barca are planning to trigger the clause but they already have Marc-Andre ter Stegen and have offered Wojciech Szczesny a new one-year contract, with third-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena also at the club.

According to Carrusel Deportivo, Garcia has agreed to the plan of getting regular football with Valencia, who are looking for a new No.1 in light of Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Liverpool. The news is a blow to Arsenal, who want another keeper this summer and have also been linked with a shock return for Emi Martinez.

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