William Gallas has his doubts that Viktor Gyokeres will live up to expectations if he joins Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Gyokeres has enjoyed another remarkable season at Sporting Lisbon, registering 31 goals and seven assists in just 28 league appearances this campaign.
Such consistency has understandably seen the Swede become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, with a host of top clubs circling the 26-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim is eager to be reunited with Gyokeres at Old Trafford but Manchester United are not thought to be among the front runners in the race to sign him.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have also been credited with interest in the striker, but it’s believed that Arsenal may well be Gyokeres’ preferred destination for a fee expected to be between £58-62million.
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Andrea Berta, the Gunners’ new sporting director, is also said to be an ‘admirer’ of the striker as he looks to recruit a much-needed goalscorer for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the new season.
However, the Italian has been issued a stark warning by former Arsenal defender Gallas who has reservations as to whether Gyokeres will be able to swiftly adapt to the demands of the English top-flight.
‘Arsenal still have the same problem, they need a striker that can score 20 goals a season,’ Gallas told Slingo.
‘I know Viktor Gyokeres has surpassed that amount in the Portuguese league, but it could be completely different for him in the Premier League, it will be a big change.
‘Can Gyokeres adapt to the Premier League? That is the question. He is 26 years old, I don’t know if he can be one of the best strikers in Europe. If he comes to Arsenal, it will be another level of pressure for him.
‘It happens a lot when a player is doing really well at a smaller club, then they crumble at a bigger club. Gyokeres will have a level of responsibility he has never had in his career if he were to join Arsenal.’
Which Premier League club should Viktor Gyokeres join?
Arsenal
It’s obvious why a move to the Emirates Stadium might appeal to Gyokeres. Arsenal look set for a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League and they have come so close to winning the title without an out-and-out striker.
Gyokeres would be an immediate upgrade on Mikel Arteta’s current options, which include ex-Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, the injured Gabriel Jesus and makeshift striker (at least since Arsenal’s injury crisis) Mikel Merino.
More than just a goalscorer ,Gyokeres would also thrive in an Arsenal team that requires more from their forwards than just a poacher.
Players speak glowingly of Arteta and Arsenal would be a stable environment for Gyokeres to continue his development and perhaps be the difference for a team who have aspirations of winning trophies on the regular over the next few years.
Manchester United
Old Trafford was immediately tipped as Gyokeres’ future destination when Ruben Amorim left Sporting Lisbon to replace Erik ten Hag.
Gyokeres’ incredible first season came under Amorim and the ex-Sporting boss looks set to welcome a new striker to the club this summer after being left underwhelmed by expensive but struggling signings Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
The chance to reunite with Amorim will be tempting for Gyokeres, who would also be joining one of the biggest clubs in the world despite their recent struggles.
The problem, of course, is Manchester United – in the bottom-half of the Premier League – will be without Champions League football next season, barring a surprising Europa League triumph.
Liverpool
Gyokeres in on course to leave Sporting Lisbon as a title winner so who better to join than the new Premier League champions?
Liverpool, on the verge of becoming English champions in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield, could be the perfect platform for Gyokeres.
Slot has managed without a recognised centre forward this season but Jamie Carragher is among those calling for the arrival of a new striker amid reports Darwin Nunez is on his way out.
Liverpool look set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, but winning the race to sign Gyokeres would be a significant coup and give Slot a reasonable chance of defending the title.
Louis Sealey | Deputy Sports Editor, Metro
Should Arsenal look elsewhere, Alexander Isak is likely to feature high up on their wishlist, although the Gunners may be dissuaded by the enormous asking price that Newcastle are expected to slap on their prized asset.
Mattheus Cunha has also been linked with a move to the Emirates having openly shared his desire to move on from Wolves at the end of the season.
But despite Gallas’ reservations, former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes that Gyokeres has more than enough quality to make a success out of a move to the Gunners.
‘Yeah, he could be an option, 100 per cent,’ Fabregas told Amazon Prime when asked about Arsenal’s links to Gyokeres.
‘But at least a top team like Arsenal are competing for the top level that Mikel wants.
‘As he’s said now, it’s not about being here [at a certain level], it’s about winning, I think, for the next step.’
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