"That would be crazy" - Former Arsenal star wants in-form striker Viktor Gyokeres to join the Gunners
Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar has claimed that it 'would be crazy' for the Gunners to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres. The former Swedish midfielder, who mentored the 26-year-old at his boyhood club Brommapojkarna, highlighted the player's 'work rate' as his greatest asset.
With his incredible goalscoring exploits, Gyokeres took the football world by storm in the 2023-24 campaign. He bagged 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 games across all competitions, which has subsequently led to a host of top European sides clamoring for his signature.
Despite a barrage of rumors, Gyokeres stayed at Sporting CP upon the conclusion of the summer transfer window. He has started the 2024-25 season right where he left off, having already racked up 23 goals and four assists in 18 games.
Arsenal are believed to be highly interested in bringing the Swedish marksman over to the Emirates. Limpar, who bagged 19 goals and 19 assists in 110 appearances for the Gunners between 1990 and 1994, recently praised the talismanic forward.
Speaking to FotbollDirekt, the 59-year-old said (via Metro):
"I know Gyokeres very well personally, I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna. So, I've talked a lot about professional life with him... If we at Arsenal (were to) buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But then to see Gyokeres at Arsenal, that would be crazy."
"His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn't work out for Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs. When other top forwards aren't doing well, they don't work so hard for the team, they save their energy, Viktor never saves his energy," Limpar added.
Besides Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Barcelona are also believed to be interested in signing Gyokeres. The Gunners will have to act promptly and decisively if they are to beat the other clubs to the forward's signature.
"He's fully capable" - Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar makes claim about Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres's adjustment to English football
Former Gunners midfielder Anders Limpar has claimed that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres will easily adjust to the Premier League style of play.
In 2018, Gyokeres moved to Brighton & Hove Albion from boyhood club Brommapojkarna. After a series of loan spells, however, he wasn't able to break into the Seagulls' lineup and was sold to EFL Championship side Coventry City in 2021.
After bagging 43 goals and 17 assists in 116 appearances, he was sold to Sporting CP in 2023, where he transformed into a goalscoring machine. Referencing his previous experience in England and his hat-trick against Manchester City in a 4-1 win in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League (November 5), Limpar said (via Metro h/t FotbollDirekt):
"We have to remember that the Portuguese league is inferior to the Premier League, but when Manchester City came to visit Lisbon, he scored a hat-trick, so he's fully capable of scoring in England."
"He has played for Coventry and scored goals, he knows the English mentality. I think his next step is to play in the Premier League and he can really choose which team he wants to play in," Limpar added.
With Kai Havertz's inconsistent performances and Gabriel Jesus' recurring injury troubles, Gyokeres would be a valuable addition to Arsenal's lineup should they make a move for him.