Arsenal contact 'priority' transfer target after baulking at Gyokeres asking price

Updated: 14 Sep 2024 03:05 CDT
3 min read

Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Arsenal remain interested in Viktor Gyokeres but the Sporting Lisbon striker’s pricetag has led the Gunners to ‘prioritise’ a bargain alternative in January.

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Mikel Arteta opted against bringing in a new striker this summer despite seeing Eddie Nketiah leave for Crystal Palace and the Arsenal boss has so far been rewarded for his loyalty to his current forwards, with Kai Havertz scoring twice in his opening two Premier League appearances this season.

However, a striker is still believed to be top of Arsenal’s agenda and Gyokeres has been one of the strongest links to the Emirates after a prolific debut season in Portugal.

The 26-year-old grabbed 29 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances last season and he has continued his blistering form this season, netting eight times in Sporting’s first five games of the new campaign.

But with Sporting insisting on selling Gyokeres for no less than his reported €100 million release clause, Arsenal have turned their attention to another striker who could provide firepower in their push for the title this season.

A report from Caught Offside claims that contact has already been made to sign Lille striker Jonathan David in January, with the Canadian available for a cut-price fee after entering the final year of his contract.

© IMAGO - Jonathan David is still searching for a move away from Lille.

Arsenal to face interest from Premier League rivals in David

Despite interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, David remained with Lille this summer but the 24-year-old has still shown no desire to extend his stay in France and is angling for a big move.

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ETV Range

€30.3M - €50.5M

David scored 19 times in Ligue 1 last year but he has found himself used as more of a rotation option to start the new season, with Lille seemingly not willing to overly rely on a player who may not be a part of their long-term future.

It is said that Liverpool will offer Arsenal the most competition for David in January, having already ‘started discussions’ for the forward, while Napoli and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation.

Ajax youngster Brian Brobbey is also named as Arsenal’s other striker on their shortlist, while the Gunners will likely return for Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko next summer if they do not resolve their striker situation in January.