William Gallas believes Arsenal should pull out of the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres and says Victor Osimhen is also the wrong fit for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta will hope the addition of an elite striker this summer takes his Arsenal team to the next level after going another season without a trophy.
Kai Havertz has been Arteta’s first-choice striker for the past two seasons but does not appear to have what it takes to lead the line for a title-winning side.
Arsenal surprisingly decided not to sign a striker in January but are ready to make amends this summer, holding talks with Gyokeres, Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko.
Gyokeres has reportedly rejected an approach from Manchester United in favour of a move to the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal are struggling to agree terms with both him and Sporting Lisbon.
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That has left Sesko as the most likely arrival in north London this summer but RB Leipzig have also set a steep asking price for the Slovenia international.
A sudden move for Napoli outcast Osimhen cannot be ruled out but Gallas fears the Nigerian, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, would ‘clash’ with Arteta.
Gallas says Gyokeres would therefore be a better fit for Arsenal but still not as good a signing as Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Isak has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe since arriving at St James’ Park and Gallas wants Arsenal to ‘break the bank’ for the Sweden international.
‘Victor Osimhen is a top class striker but I could see him clashing with Mikel Arteta,’ Gallas told Prime Casino.
‘Viktor Gyokeres would be a better fit, but Arsenal have to win the Premier League next season which means they need to sign Alexander Isak.
‘Isak is perfect for Arsenal and they should be going all out to sign him. He would adapt instantly and give them the best chance of winning the title out of any player in the world, they don’t have time to let a striker adapt.
‘Arsenal should go and break the bank for Isak. He is a 20 goal a season striker and he would be surrounding himself with quality players.
‘He wouldn’t be cheap so it’s up to the board, but he is guaranteed goals.’
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Isak over the past 12 months and the 25-year-old is believed to be Arteta’s ‘dream’ target for the striker position.
Mikel Arteta ‘excited’ for summer transfer window
‘It’s going to be a big one [summer] and we are very excited about it.
‘When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.
‘Every summer is big because it is an opportunity – and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary.
‘But it’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking back in April.
But the north London outfit have been put off from a move by Newcastle, who value Isak at around £150m.
Arsenal have endured a subdued start to the summer transfer window and are one of the few clubs yet to make a signing.
But they are set to welcome Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi to the club in a £55m deal from Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid considered hijacking Arsenal’s deal but Zubimendi is on his way to Arsenal and Gallas has praised the imminent signing.
‘Mikel Arteta might have found his own version of Rodri in Martin Zubimendi,’ added Gallas, who made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
‘He likes to sit in front of the defence and protect while giving his team-mates freedom to get forward.
‘He can offer a lot to the team in terms of giving other players more chances to get forward, Arteta might’ve seen Rodri doing that for Manchester City and wanted to do it with Arsenal.’
Arsenal begin the 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 with a potentially tricky trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
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