Arteta names ‘priority’ Arsenal target as Gyokeres scores FOUR in one game

Robin Bairner

• 20 Nov 2024 07:22 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants a prolific striker in the January transfer window and has made a big decision over Viktor Gyokeres.

Arteta has been chasing a prolific striker since the summer, believing such a player is an essential ingredient to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

Arsenal would not be drawn into paying in the €100 million bracket for Sporting CP hitman Gyokeres, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, instead preferring to wait and do business at a later date.

With no reinforcement, the Gunners are now targeting a prospective move for Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, according to TeamTalk. He is said to be Arsenal’s “dream target”.

Current ETV

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

€67.9M

ETV Range

€50.9M - €84.9M

View full profile

Although Gyokeres’ Sweden strike partner is under contract at St James’ Park until 2028, a deal with Isak, 25, is said to be very difficult but not impossible.

Newcastle will demand at least €120m (£100m) in order to sell their prized asset while a January switch is thought to be almost out of the question – even for such a transfer fee.

Isak, though, wants to join a team where he can play in the Champions League and win trophies, giving Arsenal some hope an agreement might be found.

Gyokeres is more prolific than Haaland

Isak has scored in three successive Premier League matches against a strong calibre of opposition – Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest – but his overall campaign has not been as eye-catching as that of Gyokeres.

The Sporting striker has 23 goals in 18 games and has chipped in another nine in six outings with Sweden to amass a total return of 32 already this term.

Compared

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

VS

Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City

Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

24	Appearances	22
32	Goals	22
9	Assists	1
101	Shots Total	110
51	Key Passes	13

This makes Gyokeres a more prolific striker than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who only has 22 goals in 22 games for club and country.

Arteta, though, is known to value Premier League experience, and this may be a reason why he is willing to pay a premium to sign Isak ahead of Gyokeres.

Key points

• Arsenal want a No.9: Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is still seeking a centre-forward and has made Isak his priority.
• Tough transfers: Isak is thought to be an ambitious deal that would cost €120m in the summer and will be close to impossible in January.
• Gyokeres in prolific form: The Sporting CP striker could be a strong alternative as he has scored 32 goals in 24 games this season.