Former Arsenal man Jermaine Pennant has told Football FanCast that the Gunners should be prioritising the signing of another high-profile forward, if a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres falls flat.
Latest on Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres
Will he, won’t he? There’s been more twists and turns in this transfer saga than a Formula 1 race.
At one stage having seemingly been behind RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko on the north Londoners’ striker shortlist, Gyokeres has emerged as the leading target for Andrea Berta and co in recent weeks, amid the need to end the club’s lengthy wait for a new number nine.
After netting 97 goals in just 102 games in Lisbon, the 27-year-old Swede appears to be edging ever closer to moving to the Emirates, albeit with the situation having dragged on of late.
Indeed, while a £63.5m agreement with the Portuguese outfit is nearing completion, following Gyokeres’ public dispute with his current side, the final details have yet to be resolved.
There had even been whispers in Portugal that rival suitors Manchester United were keen to hijack the deal, amid Ruben Amorim’s desire for a reunion, although that reported interest from the Red Devils has seemingly been overblown.
Regardless, those of an Arsenal persuasion won’t rest until the former Coventry City man is signed, sealed and delivered, with it perhaps wise to still be considering alternatives – as Pennant suggested…
Pennant suggests "big-money" alternative to Gyokeres
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of Adventure Gamers, the one-time Gunners academy graduate outlined that if his former club can’t get a deal done for Gyokeres, then a more fluid forward – in the mould of Gabriel Jesus – should well be considered, namely Real Madrid’s wantaway star, Rodrygo:
“If they don’t get Gyokeres then they’ve got to go for a big-name signing. Not only will it ruin their chances but the fans are going to turn rapidly. I’d try and go for big-money for Rodrygo at Real Madrid. He can play down the middle, the Jesus role where he can drop deep and give them a bit more of an option.”
The 24-year-old wideman has been heavily linked with an exit from the Bernabeu this summer, having played a limited role at the recent Club World Cup under new boss Xabi Alonso, with Arsenal believed to be one of the clubs interested in capitalising on the uncertainty surrounding the £85m-rated talent.
2024/25
30
12
2023/24
34
15
2022/23
34
18
2021/22
33
8
2020/21
22
7
2019/20
19
2
Rodrygo wouldn’t be the only option to consider, however, with Pennant also tipping the Emirates hierarchy to renew their approach for the aforementioned Sesko:
“If not you have to turn attention to Sesko. He’s young but he’s formidable and his numbers are great. So, Sesko or Rodrygo for me.”
The Slovenian is fresh off the back of the campaign in which he scored 21 times in all competitions for Leipzig, while Rodrygo scored 14 times across all fronts for Los Blancos.
Those returns fall shy of Gyokeres’ mammoth 54-goal haul in 2024/25, although as Pennant suggested, any of that trio would be a worthy addition to Mikel Arteta’s ranks.
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