Arsenal move an easy choice for Gyokeres despite other interest
Viktor Gyokeres has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, but the striker revealed the Gunners were not the only team interested in him.
New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres has hinted that he turned down other clubs before completing his big-money move to the Gunners earlier this month.
Gyokeres put pen to paper on a long-term deal, reportedly a five-year contract, at the Emirates in a £63.5m (€72.6m) transfer, including add-ons, from Sporting CP.
He scored 68 goals across two seasons in the Primeira Liga, the most of any player in Europe's top 10 leagues since his move to Portugal from Coventry City in 2023.
The 27-year-old's goal-scoring exploits saw a number of clubs linked with a potential move, most notably Juventus and Arsenal's Premier League rivals Manchester United.
But Gyokeres chose Mikel Arteta's side, and he is now set to make his debut for his new club in their pre-season clash with Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday.
And speaking in his first sit-down interview during Arsenal's pre-season trip to Asia, Gyokeres acknowledged the importance of the next move in his career.
"Yes, I think you can always have a decision about your future," Gyokeres said. "Of course, there were other clubs as well, but I didn't feel it was a difficult choice for me this time.
"I don't think it was always on my mind [to come back to England]. But, of course, that could have been an option when I was in Portugal, to come back.
"Because obviously it's the best league in the world. So, of course, that was always a goal to play in the Premier League.
"So when I felt it was the right time, I didn't hesitate to come back."
Arsenal hope Gyokeres will provide a focal point for a team that did not have a player in double figures for Premier League goals last term – the first campaign that has ever been the case for the Gunners.
He scored 39 goals in just 33 Primeira Liga outings as Sporting captured their 21st top-flight title in 2024-25.
The Sweden international's 27 non-penalty goals were also the most in Europe's top 10 leagues, ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski (24 each).
Asked what was missing from Arsenal after they finished second in each of the past three Premier League seasons, Gyokeres said: "I think you need everyone on the pitch, to be honest.
"You need 11 on the pitch and people on the bench as well that can make an impact. You need a whole team that are together and play together.
"Then I think you have a very good chance to have a great season."
