Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta bids to end his side’s trophy drought next season, with Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres his top target
With their season all but over, Arsenal are now looking towards the summer transfer window. Top of the shopping list is a new striker, which has been identified as the Gunners’ main weakness this season.
RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko remains a target, but it appears a move for Viktor Gyokeres is gathering pace. Gyokeres has starred for Sporting Lisbon over the past two years, becoming one of the hottest properties in Europe.
The Swedish international is being chased by a number of top sides across the continent. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring in a new forward and club chiefs have now supercharged their bid to sign Gyokeres.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also closing in on signing Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia. Barcelona have also become interested in him, but the Spaniard himself has now handed the Gunners a key boost in their pursuit.
It is shaping up to be a busy summer window at the Emirates Stadium. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal transfer news.
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Sterling close to Gunners exit
Loan star Raheem Sterling has been offered to Fenerbahce, with the winger unlikely to return to Arsenal next season. Sterling has spent the campaign on loan at the Gunners from fellow Premier League side Chelsea.
But the Englishman has struggled to make an impact at the Emirates, scoring just one goal and notching five assists. He is expected to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, but the Blues are looking to immediately offload him, despite having two years to run on his contract.
According to Takvim, Sterling has been offered to Fenerbahce through agents. Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of the Turkish giants, is said to feel ‘very positive’ about a move for Sterling.
Garcia boost
Joan Garcia has handed Arsenal a boost to their hopes of signing him this summer. The Gunners failed in a move for the keeper last summer, but he is widely expected to leave Espanyol in the upcoming window.
Barcelona have also grown interested in the 24-year-old, alongside Aston Villa. But according to AS, Garcia has now made it clear that he is ‘aiming’ to join Arsenal this summer.
It is said that this will give Gunners chief a ‘clear edge’ in their hopes of landing the keeper. He has a £21million release clause in his contract, though that will rise to £25m for the final fortnight of the window.
Gunners submit Gyokeres offer
Arsenal have offered Viktor Gyokeres a contract worth £7m per year after tax as they take a huge leap towards signing the striker. The Swede scored 43 times last season as Sporting Lisbon won the Primeira Liga title.
He has bettered that this year, registering 52 strikes with Sporting only needing to match Benfica’s result this weekend to secure a second successive title. Gyokeres though is unlikely to be around for a third tilt at the Portuguese crown.
Arsenal are desperate to sign him, with A Bola reporting they have offered him a bumper £7m salary, which the striker is ready to accept. It is said the Gunners will hold off on submitting a formal bid to Sporting until their after the Taca de Portugal final on 25 May.
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