Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres in £64m transfer from Sporting to finally bolster forward line

Arsenal’s protracted transfer saga involving Viktor Gyokeres is over after completing a £64million transfer from Sporting.

Gyokeres has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners and will wear the No 14 shirt, famously worn by Thierry Henry, at the club.

The 27-year-old’s arrival will come as a major boost to Arsenal who have been priortising the need to sign a striker this summer.

Why Viktor Gyokeres chose Arsenal

Gyokeres, who was a Manchester United target, was in the Sporting side dismantled 5-1 by Mikel Arteta’s team in Champions League group stages last November – and he cites that match as when he knew he wanted to join Arsenal.

‘I just felt it was the right club for me,’ said Gyokeres. ‘What I heard from Mikel and [sporting director] Andrea Berta and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football.

‘When I played against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

‘That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fan base.’

The move takes Arsenal’s summer spending up to about £204m, following the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.