Report claims Arsenal have made important €80m transfer decision in the last few hours

Arsenal have reportedly made a key transfer decision in the last few hours, as the club has opted to pull out of the race to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres due to his €80 million release clause, according to reports from Portuguese outlet Record.

The decision marks a significant shift in Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy, especially given how strongly the Swedish striker had been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent months. Gyokeres’ prolific form in Portugal had made him one of the most talked-about forwards in Europe, and Arsenal were believed to be frontrunners for his signature at one point.

However, the north London club are said to be unwilling to meet the hefty valuation placed on the 27-year-old by Sporting. With the club already navigating Financial Fair Play restrictions and weighing up other key areas of squad reinforcement, the €80m price tag is deemed too steep.

Viktor Gyokeres has been sensational for Sporting since joining from Coventry City. The Swedish striker has found the net an astonishing 97 times in just 102 appearances, a record that naturally attracted attention from some of Europe’s top clubs. This form followed an impressive spell in the Championship, though it’s worth noting that he struggled for game time during an earlier stint at Brighton in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres was driven by manager Mikel Arteta’s desire to add a clinical striker to his attacking unit. With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both performing in hybrid roles rather than as traditional number nines, the Gunners are eager to find a more orthodox goalscorer to lead the line.

Now that the pursuit of Gyokeres has cooled, Arsenal are believed to be shifting their focus to other targets. Two names have emerged at the top of their shortlist: RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Both players bring unique qualities that suit Arteta’s system, and they are considered more financially attainable than the Swedish forward.

Sesko, just 21, is one of the brightest young talents in Europe and has already made a name for himself in the Bundesliga. His combination of size, speed, and finishing has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, and Arsenal view him as a long-term project who can grow within the club’s attacking framework.

Ollie Watkins, on the other hand, is a more experienced option. The England international has been consistently productive for Aston Villa and offers a proven Premier League track record. His movement, pressing, and eye for goal make him an attractive option for a team that often dominates possession and looks to break down low blocks.

Interestingly, the Gyokeres saga took another turn when reports surfaced suggesting the striker had rejected Manchester United in favour of Arsenal. However, those claims have since been downplayed by reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, who reported that while Gyokeres is open to a Premier League move, no final decision has been made regarding his destination.

Jacobs noted that Arsenal had been simultaneously working on both Sesko and Gyokeres deals, with transfer consultant Andrea Berta involved in advancing talks. That dual-track approach now appears to be narrowing, with the Gunners leaning more toward Sesko and Watkins as realistic summer signings.

Gyokeres himself added fuel to the speculation with a cryptic comment last week. When asked about his future, he remarked, “There’s a lot of talk at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right.” This response, reported by Fabrizio Romano, hints at the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his next move.

Some fans have questioned Arsenal’s decision to step away from Gyokeres, especially given his incredible scoring record. But others point to cautionary tales — strikers who thrived in less competitive leagues but struggled to replicate their form in the Premier League.

Statistically, Gyokeres’ numbers outshine both Sesko and Watkins. In the last two seasons:

• Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances,
• Sesko has netted 39 in 87,
• Watkins has bagged 44 goals in 107 games.

While the disparity is stark, Arsenal’s recruitment team seems to be prioritizing factors beyond raw output — such as age, league strength, and tactical fit within Arteta’s evolving system.

Arteta has spoken before about wanting players who are not just effective individually but who elevate the overall team dynamic. In that regard, the technical attributes and adaptability of Sesko and Watkins may give them an edge.

Furthermore, there’s an argument to be made about market timing. Investing heavily in Gyokeres now may not represent good value, especially if there are doubts about his ability to adapt quickly to the Premier League. Arsenal, still smarting from having narrowly missed out on the title in successive seasons, cannot afford to gamble on big-money flops.

Some supporters have drawn comparisons to previous transfer hesitations by Arsenal — such as when they missed out on Alexander Isak only to see his value rise later. Critics argue that the club risks repeating the same mistake with Gyokeres if he ends up flourishing at a rival club like Manchester United.

Ultimately, this decision underscores the meticulous approach Arsenal now take in the transfer market. Rather than rushing into high-profile deals, the club appears determined to find players who represent both short-term impact and long-term value.

As the summer window heats up, Arsenal’s next move will be heavily scrutinized. Whether it’s Sesko, Watkins, or a surprise name yet to emerge, the pressure is on Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar to get this transfer window right.

With the Champions League on the horizon and the Premier League title in sight, securing a top striker could make all the difference for the Gunners in 2025.