Report: Arsenal now want to sign £19m Premier League striker instead of Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have turned their focus away from Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners have had a solid transfer window so far. David Raya’s loan was turned into a permanent deal in the first week of July and Riccardo Calafiori was signed later in the month.

Now, Arsenal are really close to signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, and those three arrivals make Mikel Arteta’s side significantly stronger than they were in the 2023/24 season.

However, Arsenal aren’t done just there. They are on the market for a new striker as well, but the interest in Gyokeres is said to be fading because of one key reason.

Arsenal eye move for Dominic Solanke instead of Viktor Gyokeres for one reason

Arsenal have Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as their strikers at the moment.

Leandro Trossard has also played there, while Gabriel Martinelli can also fill in if required. Eddie Nketiah is still at the club as well, but he will likely be on the move soon.

Despite the available options, Arteta has been on the market for a new striker. His main target Benjamin Sesko rejected Arsenal and decided to stay at RB Leipzig.

The Gunners have since been heavily linked with a few other strikers. Gyokeres is one of them.

The Swede had a sensational season at Sporting Lisbon in 2023/24, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in all competitions.

He is a wanted man, but CaughtOffside have revealed that Arsenal have turned their attention elsewhere because of the finances involved.

Gyokeres won’t just cost huge money in terms of wages, but his salary and demands from his agents are said to be too high as well.

That’s why an Arsenal move for the Sporting Lisbon star has now been described as ‘very unlikely to happen’ in this window.

As a result, the report reveals that Arsenal are focusing on Dominic Solanke instead. The Bournemouth striker will be available for £65 million this summer.

It has further been revealed that Solanke, who joined Bournemouth for just £19 million from Liverpool in 2019 (BBC), is open to leaving the Cherries if he receives a good offer.

Arsenal’s rivals could beat them to Solanke’s signature

Solanke had an excellent 2023/24 season at Bournemouth.

The Englishman scored 19 goals in the Premier League, which is a brilliant return. There’s every chance he will score more at a bigger club.

That’s probably why Arsenal are keeping an eye on Solanke, but they aren’t the only club in England interested in signing him this summer.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are exploring a move to sign Solanke before the window shuts at the end of August.

It will be interesting to see who will win the race to sign him.