Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker has been thrust into the spotlight again as former club captain William Gallas weighed in, insisting his old team are unlikely to sign Sporting CP’s in-form striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish international, who has been thriving in Portugal, is reportedly Manchester United’s prime target, thanks in large part to the appeal of reuniting with former Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, who recently took charge at Old Trafford.
Sporting are said to be open to selling their star forward for a fee in the region of £63 million, but Gallas believes Arsenal’s chances in this high-stakes transfer race are slim.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Gallas stated: “Arsenal have no chance of signing Viktor Gyokeres, he will choose Man United. Gyokeres will follow Ruben Amorim to Man United, I think Gyokeres would suit Man United’s team too.”
Gallas’s assessment puts a dampener on Arsenal’s transfer ambitions, especially as the club struggles with its current options up front.
Kai Havertz, whom manager Mikel Arteta has been experimenting with as a main centre-forward, has only scored once in his last seven appearances.
While Havertz initially showed promise in the role, his lack of reliable goalscoring has led to growing frustration among the fanbase.
Reports suggest that Viktor Gyokeres will be allowed to leave Sporting next summer for just £𝟲𝟯𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 💰🤑
He'll be hot property 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/UyJzsF3U6U
— LiveScore (@livescore) November 12, 2024
Gallas Advocates for Osimhen as Arsenal’s Solution in Attack
Gallas didn’t stop at discussing Gyokeres; he also turned his attention to another top-tier striker, Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian forward has been in sensational form since his summer loan to Turkish club Galatasaray, scoring five goals in his last three games, including a memorable brace in a Europa League victory over Tottenham.
Gallas expressed disappointment that Osimhen ended up at Galatasaray instead of a Premier League team and believes Arsenal should make every effort to bring him to North London.
Gallas said, “Kai Havertz has never ever been the right man to take Arsenal to the Premier League title. Havertz is a good player, but he’s not top class. I’m sorry, but he’s nowhere near a world-class level. Arsenal need a player to replace him at striker.”
Osimhen, who dazzled in Serie A last season, had previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, but his loan move to Turkey surprised many.
Gallas emphasised that the Nigerian star has the quality Arsenal needs to seriously contend for the Premier League title, suggesting the club should “wake up” to the urgency of signing a proven goalscorer like Osimhen.
🟡🔴 Osimhen = 5 goals in last 3 games 💫#UEL pic.twitter.com/pqsYIByxrI
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 11, 2024
