Viktor Gyokeres Wants Arsenal: Swedish Striker Rejects Juventus for Premier League Dream

Sporting CP Star Turns Down Bigger Offer from Juventus in Hopes of Joining Arsenal

In a transfer saga that continues to stir excitement and intrigue among football fans across Europe, Viktor Gyokeres has made his intentions loud and clear—he wants Arsenal. The prolific Swedish striker has reportedly rejected a more lucrative move to Juventus, choosing instead to pursue his dream of playing in the Premier League. His eyes are firmly set on a transfer to North London, even though Arsenal has yet to officially make their move.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Viktor Gyokeres’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya has informed Juventus that the player has no intention of joining the Turin giants, despite the Italian club presenting an appealing offer worth around €70 million (£59m/$77m). Juventus, who are actively searching for a replacement for the likely-departing Dusan Vlahovic, considered Viktor Gyokeres a top target. However, it seems they’ll now have to shift their attention elsewhere, with Jonathan David emerging as their new primary focus.

A Premier League Dream That Won’t Die

Gyokeres’s desire to play in England is no secret. The 27-year-old has always admired the Premier League, describing it in past interviews as the “pinnacle” of club football. After impressing in the Championship with Coventry City, he took a bold step by moving to Sporting CP in 2023. It was a gamble that paid off handsomely. In just one season, the Swede bagged an astonishing 54 goals in all competitions, quickly becoming one of the hottest striker prospects in Europe.

Yet even with his meteoric rise in Portugal, Viktor Gyokeres seems to view the Premier League as unfinished business. For him, Arsenal represents not just a step up in competition, but also a chance to showcase his abilities on the biggest stage in world football.

“He’s dreamed of this move,” a source close to the player told reporters. “Playing in the Premier League has always been the goal, and Arsenal’s style of play suits him perfectly. This is not about money—it’s about ambition.”

Sporting CP Hold Firm, But Pressure Mounts

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While Viktor Gyokeres has made his preference clear, his current club isn’t making things easy. Sporting CP are holding out for a fee closer to €80 million (£68m/$92m), even though his official release clause is set at a staggering €100 million (£84m/$115m). The Portuguese side is in no rush to sell, especially after paying just €20 million to sign him from Coventry.

But the dynamics are shifting quickly. Tensions have reportedly begun to surface between Viktor Gyokeres and the Sporting hierarchy. The striker is growing frustrated at the lack of progress on a move, especially after rejecting Juventus’s overtures in good faith that Arsenal would soon step forward. There’s also a curious clause in his contract—if Sporting turn down any bid over €60 million, agent Hasan Cetinkaya is due a 10% commission. That adds further pressure on the club to carefully consider incoming offers.

Arsenal Still Weighing Their Options

The Gunners have been monitoring Viktor Gyokeres for months but have yet to make an official bid. Mikel Arteta and the recruitment team at Arsenal are taking a patient approach, keeping tabs on several targets. Benjamin Sesko was on the list before he committed to staying at RB Leipzig, while other names like Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen have also been floated.

For Arsenal, the summer transfer window is about fine margins. They finished the 2024–25 season just shy of the Premier League title and are now looking for the final pieces to push them over the line. A reliable, explosive striker like Viktor Gyokeres could be exactly what Arteta needs to complement his fluid attacking setup.

However, Arsenal are also conscious of Financial Fair Play regulations and may look to negotiate a deal below Sporting’s asking price. That could lead to a bit of brinkmanship in the coming weeks.

Juventus Left to Regroup

As for Juventus, Viktor Gyokeres’s rejection is a bitter pill to swallow. The club has been planning for life after Vlahovic, who is almost certain to be sold this summer amid interest from several Premier League clubs. With Viktor Gyokeres now off the table, the Bianconeri are moving quickly to shift their focus.

Jonathan David, recently departed from Lille as a free agent, has emerged as their next big hope. While not as physically dominant as Viktor Gyokeres, David offers a different kind of threat—technical, intelligent, and lethal in the box. Juventus hope his availability on a free transfer might allow them to allocate more funds toward wages and signing bonuses.

From Coventry to Champions League?

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Viktor Gyokeres’s rise through the ranks has been anything but conventional. Starting his senior career in Sweden with Brommapojkarna, he made the move to Brighton in 2018 but never quite broke into the first team. His real breakthrough came in the English Championship with Coventry City, where his blend of physicality, work rate, and goal-scoring instinct began turning heads.

His move to Sporting CP last year was initially seen as a stepping stone—and it has proven to be just that. Now, he stands on the brink of joining a Champions League regular in Arsenal, with the potential to lead their line in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.

What Comes Next?

It’s clear that the next few weeks will be crucial. Arsenal must decide whether to go all-in for Viktor Gyokeres or pursue another striker. For Sporting, the pressure is mounting—both internally and from Viktor Gyokeres’s camp. And for Juventus, it’s back to the drawing board.

One thing is for certain: Viktor Gyokeres wants Arsenal. The ball is now in the Gunners’ court.