Viktor Gyokeres transfer will see Mikel Arteta go against Arsenal transfer rule again

Arsenal will break their own golden transfer rule again if they complete a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners have been stuck in endless negotiations with the Swede's club Sporting Lisbon, who have held firm in their resistance. Gyokeres' switch to the Emirates Stadium is now believed to be on the horizon, after a verbal agreement was reached with the club, not long after the forward reportedly went on strike to try and force a move.

However, at 27 years old, his signing would contradict Arsenal's usual transfer policy. Typically, the north Londoners steer clear of players over the age of 25, although the recent acquisitions of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard also defy this approach.

Yet, after three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, they clearly believe a seasoned and deadly striker like Gyokeres can help them clinch the title. In his 102 appearances for Sporting, the former Coventry City forward has racked up an impressive 97 goals and 28 assists.

This remarkable tally suggests he could make a significant impact in the Premier League. Erling Haaland was posting similar figures at Borussia Dortmund before his move to Manchester City in the summer of 2022. Arsenal will be hoping Gyokeres can replicate such success.

It's understood that they have struck a deal worth £55million plus an additional £8.6m in add-ons, with the latter currently being ironed out.

The Athletic recently reported that both sides are nearing a complete agreement and are now finalising the finer points. The Gunners have already brought in Martin Zubimendi, Arrizabalaga, Norgaard and Noni Madueke, whilst a transfer for Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is so near to completion that he is anticipated to link up with Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia this week.

Arteta's latest remarks suggest this collection of signings, spanning different age groups, represents a response to their recent setbacks. He has made it evident that he will tear up the Gunners' established approach if it delivers silverware.

Arteta recently disclosed that he has abandoned the so-called 'Tier System' he has previously referenced. He categorised players who "have the capacity to be starters" as 'Tier One' performers, with squad members assigned the labels of 'Tier Two' and 'Tier Three' stars.

The Athletic reported that Zubimendi and Madueke were both placed in the 'Tier One' category when they arrived. Nevertheless, the former Manchester City assistant coach recently made it plain that he will no longer group players in this manner.

He said: "The Tier One, Two, Three system I don't believe in that much now. The way the game's evolving, the demands we put in with 70, 75 games per season.

"At the end we want to build a team, like other clubs already have, where you look at the squad and you cannot really identify who is going to play tomorrow.

"If we get to that point, and that competitiveness has as well the right level of co-operation between the players, that's what we want."

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