Viktor Gyokeres has finally become an Arsenal player after his long-awaited transfer was finally confirmed on Saturday evening, but the Gunners had long been expected to sign a different forward instead
Andrea Berta could face backlash behind the scenes at Arsenal if Viktor Gyokeres fails to deliver. Gyokeres, 27, was finally confirmed as an Arsenal player on Saturday after the club agreed to pay Sporting Lisbon a total of £63.7million.
The deal is comprised of a guaranteed £55million plus £8.7m in performance-related add-ons. Arsenal’s capture of the Sweden international ends their long wait to sign a striker and the decision is without doubt Berta’s biggest since taking over as sporting director in March.
Gyokeres’ 97 goals in 102 games in two seasons with Sporting made him one of Europe’s prolific strikers. But the Gunners’ new No.14 wasn’t the only candidate
RB Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko was actually the preferred target for many involved in recruitment at Arsenal, according to the Telegraph. Five years younger than Gyokeres and with more experience in a top-five league, Sesko was seen an exciting option with potentially more upside.
Ultimately, the Gunners decided on Gyokeres after Berta reportedly held talks with both players’ representatives and, in a tactical ploy, made each of them feel as if they were the preferred option. Sesko, 22, was deemed to be more expensive, however, and coupled with Gyokeres’ desire to join Arsenal, club chiefs went with the latter – who was always Berta’s preferred target.
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It’s now claimed in a separate report that the Slovenian is on Newcastle’s radar while he’s also been linked with Manchester United. Should Sesko move to the Premier League and thrive more than Gyokeres, Berta’s decision could come under internal scrutiny.
Arsenal, though, are confident that the former Coventry City star will prove to be the right answer to their striker puzzle. Berta is ‘so pleased’ to have secured Gyokeres’ signature and described the deal which he’s brokered with Sporting as ‘excellent’.
“Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward,” the ex-Atletico Madrid transfer chief said in a statement.
“His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision. We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor.”
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As for Mikel Arteta, the man tasked with getting the best out of Gyokeres, he added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.
“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.
“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him. We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”
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