Viktor Gyokeres transfer hands Arsenal a new reality amid Eberechi Eze update

Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer to Arsenal has been confirmed with the striker completing his move from Sporting CP to the Emirates Stadium.

The deal will see the Gunners pay an initial fee of £55.5 million plus another £8.7 million in potential add-ons. Gyokeres has signed a five-year deal and will now join up with his new teammates in Singapore.

His arrival has been long-awaited at the Emirates Stadium, with the priority this summer being bringing in a new out-and-out number nine. Injuries to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus saw Arsenal have to manage without a recognised striker for the final few months of the 2024/25 season.

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Gyokeres’ goalscoring record in Portugal has caught eyes around the world. Last season saw him score 54 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions, including 39 in 33 in Liga Portugal.

It’s fair to assume then that given his record and the price he has cost that the Sweden international will quickly be instilled as first choice for the Arsenal striker role in the new campaign.

That will leave Jesus fighting for game time when he returns from injury. The forward is stepping up his recovery from a serious knee injury sustained back in January.

As he continues his rehabilitation there has been some talk over his future. Reports from his native Brazil claim that Flamengo have opened talks with the player over a potential move, with Jesus reportedly open to the transfer.

RTI Esporte say that talks have opened, but the Brazilian side are looking at a loan deal with a option to buy next summer. It’s not indicated if that is something that Arsenal would be willing to do.

But the signing of Gyokeres may raise questions over Jesus’ future. With the new striker coming in as first choice, Jesus would be fighting Havertz in providing competition and backup to Gyokeres, the reality is that it will be difficult to keep all three happy with their playing time.

The fact that Havertz can play in midfield, as he originally was brought to the club to do, may increase his chances of game time despite the new arrival, but Jesus is not in the same position.

It means that he may be best to move on. In an ideal world, Arsenal would get a decent fee for the striker that they could then reinvest back into the squad. The Gunners have been heavily linked with an interest in Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who would also supplement the attack.

Eze started Palace's friendly against Crawley on Friday but football.london understands the playmaker is Arsenal's primary target on the market between now and the end of the summer transfer window. Palace, however, want the player's £67.5million release clause paid in full.

A permanent sale of Jesus would help to at least part-fund a move for the England man. Reports have claimed that Arsenal value Jesus at around €30 million (£26.2m).

A loan deal would however get the player’s wages off the books, which would be a boost in terms of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). If Arsenal could convince clubs to take an obligation to buy instead of an option to guarantee the fee at the end of the loan deal, then it could be a transfer worth considering.