Arsenal are moving again with the pressure of knowing that next season allows no margin for error. Fans are looking sideways at every rumour and every name associated with the north Londoners because they feel that something more up top is needed.

The Premier League is unforgiving, and Mikel Arteta seems convinced that without a striker with a real nose for goal, you can’t fight with the giants. That is why the idea of bringing in Viktor Gyokeres has gained so much traction among the board, although Portugal has become an unexpected wall to the club’s ambitions.

Sporting rejects €65m plus 15m in variables from Arsenal for Viktor Gyokeres

As reported by Portuguese newspaper Record, Arsenal chiefs travelled to Lisbon in the hope of concluding a deal for the Swede. Talks lasted two days, and there was initial optimism, but everything suddenly cooled down. Sporting Lisbon are demanding a fixed fee of €70m and consider Arsenal’s proposal of €65m plus 15m in variables to be insufficient.

There was no room to soften the position. The problem is that Gyokeres has a long contract, comes from a season with goals that lifted half the continent, and his clause gives the Portuguese club a position of strength. Arteta wanted to go into pre-season with the attacker tied down so that he could adapt quickly to the pace and demand.

Now that plan is faltering. While Arsenal are not ruling out a return, the club need to decide whether to break the piggy bank or look for alternatives. In the meantime, the fans are watching as rivals are already making moves in the market, and nervousness is growing because no one wants another season with Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz as the main replacement when the fixtures are heavier than ever.

Why Viktor Gyokeres is so important for the Gunners?

I think Gyokeres represents exactly what Arteta is looking for to make a breakthrough. He is strong, knows how to shield and fight against centre-backs, attacks space and doesn’t hide in tense games. His profile complements Gabriel Jesus, who goes down a lot to combine but does not ensure a goal tally that makes a difference. For 2025/26, with the Champions League as an obsession, Arsenal need someone capable of turning half a loose ball into a goal.

Moreover, the Premier League punishes a lack of goalscoring more than any other league. If Arsenal don’t solve this front, they could fall back into the same mistakes of recent seasons. True, breaking the bank for Gyokeres is scary, but looking at the market and hoping for a low-cost miracle doesn’t make sense. Reality dictates that a striker who strikes fear costs dearly. That is why, if the board wants to avoid regrets in April, they would do well to return to Portugal with their chequebook ready and close the deal before another, more determined club comes along.