Arsenal will gain first-hand experience of the threat posed by Viktor Gyokeres when the Gunners face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on November 26.
The striker has developed into one of the most ruthless goal-scorers in Europe in his time in Portugal and is already being linked with a possible big-money transfer in 2025, despite only signing for the Lisbon club from Coventry City in July last year.
Arsenal happen to be one of the teams credited with an interest in the Sweden international. Manager Mikel Arteta was disinclined to speak directly about Gyokeres prior to the match with Sporting, but there is a general feeling that the player could be exactly what Arsenal need to boost their chances of winning major silverware.
What's more, there is reason to believe they can put themselves in pole position to sign Gyokeres — who has a release clause but may end up costing less than that amount — if they can act quickly in the next transfer window.
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Arsenal's potential edge over Man United, Barcelona to sign Gyokeres
Three of the main clubs said to be interested in Gyokeres are Arsenal, Manchester United, and Barcelona. Of those, the Gunners would likely be in the strongest position to agree a deal in the January transfer window.
Barca reportedly consider Gyokeres a potential long-term replacement for Lewandowski, but with finances at the Spanish club very tight, any incomings in 2025 would need to be offset by sales.
Club president Joan Laporta is also said to favour an attempt to sign Haaland from Man City, perhaps in a year or two, so it feels unlikely — albeit not impossible — that he would sanction the signing of Gyokeres if he genuinely feels Haaland is attainable in the coming years.
United would have the lure of former Sporting boss Amorim, but he has previously insisted he would not raid his former club in January so soon after taking the Red Devils job.
United are also having to toe the line when it comes to financial rules, so they are not likely to make any significant moves in the market until after the end of the season, unless they can recoup substantial funds through player sales.
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There is also greater competition for the No. 9 spot at Old Trafford.
United believe Rasmus Hojlund is capable of becoming a leading player in the long term and may be wary of harming his development by signing a direct competitor for his place.
They also have Joshua Zirkzee, the summer signing from Bologna, who has struggled to impress so far but could yet convince the new manager that he is worth keeping.
Arsenal are in a stronger position in terms of money to spend, and there is a clear lack of goal-scoring centre-forwards at the club.
Kai Havertz is favoured as the No. 9 by manager Mikel Arteta over Gabriel Jesus, but neither player is prolific in terms of output.
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Arsenal's net spend in 2024/25 has been fairly limited, standing at around £21m ($26.4m), so striking a deal in January for Gyokeres would certainly seem possible.
The player himself would then have the near certainty of being first-choice striker at a club vying for the Premier League title and, at the very least, likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.
This could all play into the Gunners' hands if they work swiftly and smartly in early 2025.
