Mikel Arteta says ‘yes’ to ‘season defining’ signing as Arsenal look to make a huge statement

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly given the green light to a signing that could define the club’s 2024-25 campaign.

Arsenal have finished second in the table in each of the last two Premier League seasons, with Manchester City beating them to the title on both occasions.

The Gunners pushed the champions all the way in 2023-24, and this summer they are prepared to spend big in the transfer market in a bid to end City’s dominance.

Arteta is reportedly keen to bring in a left-sided defender, a new central midfielder to partner Declan Rice and a new striker.

Arsenal were brilliant for much of last season, but at times the absence of an out-and-out striker leading their attack appeared to count against them.

While Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen would be a dream recruit for sporting director Edu, the €120 million to €130m (£101.5m to £110m) release clause in his contract would make a move hard to pull off.

As an alternative option, Arteta has reportedly given the green light for Edu to pursue a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

According to Portuguese publication Leonino, Arsenal will sign Gyokeres in a deal worth an initial €90m (£75m), with add-ons potentially taking the deal as high as €120m (£100m).

A fee of that size would make Gyokeres the second most expensive signing in Arsenal’s history, just shy of the £105m they paid for Declan Rice last summer.

The Swedish striker scored 43 goals and assisted a further 15 in 50 matches in 2023-24, convincing Arteta that he is the missing piece of the jigsaw at the Emirates Stadium.

Gyokeres’ exploits last term were even more remarkable given that Sporting paid just shy of £20m to sign him from Coventry City last summer.

Arsenal were also interested in Benjamin Sesko, but the Slovenian striker opted to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig.