Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s transfer business is “not finished yet” as the club intensifies efforts to land Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in a move understood to be worth about £63.5 million. Speaking to media on July 21, 2025 in Singapore, Arteta stressed that further arrivals are expected before the Premier League campaign kicks off.
Arsenal have already spent more than £120 million this summer, bringing in Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke. Three of the quartet are travelling with the squad in Asia; Madueke, signed for around £52 million after a demanding Club World Cup schedule, has been given additional recovery time.
Gyokeres is viewed as the priority striking addition. The Sweden international is keen on the move and, according to club insiders, has been reluctant to resume full training with Sporting while negotiations continue. Arsenal had hoped to integrate him ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season meeting with AC Milan in Singapore, but discussions have slowed amid haggling over performance‑related add‑ons. The north London club remain confident a breakthrough can be achieved.
Asked directly about Gyokeres, Arteta declined to discuss players not yet signed: “When we have something concrete, we will say so.” Even so, he sounded upbeat about imminent progress: “I’m very hopeful we can get the player over the line soon.” He reiterated the need for depth, noting that numbers remain light across several positions and that the window still has weeks to run.
Recruitment work is not limited to centre‑forward. Talks are ongoing with Valencia over highly rated defender Cristhian Mosquera in a deal around £16.5 million, while Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, valued at roughly £60 million, remains on Arsenal’s radar should conditions align.
Arteta praised the backing he has received from the club hierarchy and the alignment across football operations, ownership and coaching staff. The goal, he said, is to start the season with a balanced, deeper, higher‑quality squad capable of sustaining challenges at home and in Europe. Until new faces arrive, the emphasis stays on preparing the players already in camp.
Supporters across Arsenal’s vast global fanbase including a passionate following in East Africa are tracking developments closely. Pre‑season windows move quickly; if Arsenal can close Gyokeres and at least one defensive deal before August, Arteta would gain valuable flexibility in rotation, pressing triggers and in‑game management across competitions ahead.
