Arsenal still in talks to sign their answer to Wirtz

For most of this month, it felt like Arsenal were in real danger of falling behind their rivals in the transfer market.

Fortunately, the last week or so has finally seen the club spring into life somewhat, with both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard looking set to join Martin Zubimendi ahead of next season.

However, while the club are starting to get bodies through the door, there is still a question mark over the lack of truly game-changing signings, like Liverpool’s capture of Florian Wirtz.

Yet, there might be no need for concern, as recent reports have once again linked the Gunners with an incredible attacker who could be their own version of the German international.

Arsenal target game-changing signings

While Arsenal’s focus appeared to be on useful squad players last week, the North Londoners have still been linked with a host of potentially game-changing superstars in recent weeks, such as Rodrygo and, more recently, Eberechi Eze.

The former could cost up to £85, but with two Champions League titles to his name and a tally of 25 goal involvements in 53 games this season, it would be hard to deny that’s a fair valuation for the Brazilian dynamo.

Likewise, while Eze’s £68m release clause is undeniably massive, he’d be more than worth it, as, on top of helping Crystal Palace win their first major honour ever this season, he racked up a haul of 25 goal involvements in just 43 appearances.

Yet, while both players would undoubtedly have a massive impact on the Gunners, there is another star linked with the club who’d surely be even more game-changing: Viktor Gyokeres.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, the Sporting CP star has been one of Arsenal’s top targets this summer and remains a genuine option to lead the line for next season, with it revealing that the Gunners are maintaining talks and asking to be kept up to date on the Swede’s situation.

However, what’s interesting is that the report also claims it’s now ‘only a matter of time’ before the Swedish international leaves the Portuguese champions, despite the Lisbon side holding out for more money.

Regarding the money, the story reaffirms prior reports that Sporting will not budge on their €80m valuation of the free-scoring forward, which converts to around £68m. Considering the player’s wage demands, it may be a move that ends up totalling close to £111m.

It might not be a straightforward transfer to get over the line, but Arsenal should do all they can to sign Gyokeres in the coming weeks, as he could be as consequential for them as Wirtz looks like he will be for Liverpool.

Why Gyokeres could be Arsenal’s Wirtz

Now, there is already one massive difference between Wirtz and Gyokeres, which is their respective positions.

However, the fact that the former is a midfielder and the latter a striker really has no bearing on this comparison.

The basis for the Swede becoming the Gunners’ version of the German is instead solely based on how much of a game-changer he could be for them.

For example, the former Bayer Leverkusen gem was unsurprisingly brilliant this season, racking up a tally of 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3392 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.45 games, or every 109.41 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Gunners’ faithful, that level of output is undoubtedly going to have a massive impact on the Champions next season, but the good news is that the former Coventry City star could be just as impactful for Arteta’s side.

For example, in 52 appearances this season, totalling 4248 minutes, the Stockholm-born “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Alex Turk, scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes to a frankly absurd average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

The 27-year-old was just as effective last season, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4,169 minutes, which came out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game, or one every 71.87 minutes.

It is true that he’s currently playing outside of a top-five league, but if the Swedish machine can replicate even a third of his performances in North London, then his arrival could be what finally pushes Arteta’s side over the line in the Premier League or Champions League next year.

Ultimately, it’s Gyokeres’ incredible output and the fact his arrival would be such a signal of intent that means he could end up being Arsenal’s answer to Witz this summer.

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