Mikel Arteta has declined to comment on Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of forward Viktor Gyokeres, amid reports of a potential transfer from Sporting CP. Despite Arsenal reaching a fixed fee of £55 million with the Portuguese club over a week ago, negotiations continue regarding an additional €10 million (£8.7 million) in performance-related add-ons. As discussions around the specifics of these bonus payments unfold, Arteta remains cautious.
As Arsenal embarks on their pre-season tour in Singapore and Hong Kong, Arteta was pressed on whether Gyokeres might join the squad before the new season begins. “I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet,” Arteta stated. He added, “When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that.”
The Gunners have been active in the transfer market this summer, successfully securing deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, marking a dynamic start to their first summer transfer window under new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy Under New Leadership
Beyond Gyokeres, Arsenal is also close to finalizing an initial £13 million deal for Cristhian Mosquera, a defender from Valencia. Arteta expressed satisfaction with the club’s transfer activity thus far, stating, “I’m very pleased, that’s all I’ll say.” He acknowledged the complexity of transferring players, saying, “There are a lot of parties and things that we have to bear in mind to get a player over the line.”
When asked about potential new signings joining Arsenal on their Asian tour, Arteta emphasized the importance of depth and quality in the squad. “There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad,” he said.
Arteta’s focus remains on the players currently available to him. “Until that happens, focus on the players we have and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days,” he added, reflecting a sense of optimism about the team’s current form.
Zubimendi’s Decision to Join Arsenal
Arteta also discussed the acquisition of Martin Zubimendi, revealing that the Spanish midfielder turned down “some very good opportunities” to join Arsenal. Zubimendi was reportedly close to a move to Liverpool last summer but chose to remain with Real Sociedad for an additional season. The Gunners capitalized on this situation, with Arteta playing a pivotal role in persuading Zubimendi to make the switch to North London.
“It was a long, long process,” Arteta explained regarding Zubimendi’s transfer. “He had a lot of opportunities to decide whether he wanted to come, and the good news is that this club is amazing and everybody wants to come to it.” He praised Zubimendi’s character and intelligence, stating, “I think we are all very impressed with what we’ve seen in the last seven to ten days.”
As the new season approaches, Arsenal continues to navigate the complexities of the transfer market while aiming to strengthen their squad. With a busy summer ahead, fans will be watching closely for further developments in their team’s roster.
