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Arsenal's pre-season squad was supposed to include Viktor Gyokeres. That was a bold target, but it shows how much Mikel Arteta wants him.
Recently, the Arsenal squad for the 2025 pre-season tour was announced. Naturally, it features many young players who are hungry to get an opportunity to play in the first team.
New signings Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Martin Zubimendi naturally make the limelight in the squad announcement, but fans can't help but feel like one player is missing.
And, as exciting as it is that Cristhian Mosquera is set to travel to Singapore to meet up with his new Arsenal teammates, I'm not talking about him. Neither am I talking about Noni Madueke, who misses out on this pre-season tour due to competing at the Club World Cup.
Arsenal wanted Viktor Gyokeres at pre-season
See, the plan was always to have Mosquera as part of Arsenal's pre-season squad. The Gunners had this in mind before they attempted to sign him. But he wasn't the only player, Viktor Gyokeres was also supposed to be on that plane.
According to James McNicholas of The Athletic, Arsenal hoped to have Mosquera and Gyokeres on the plane to Singapore. While they were busy last week and got plenty over the line, this is the one frustration that Arsenal couldn't complete.
Of course, it's not too late for Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyokeres and that move remains in the pipeline. However, he isn't involved in the initial squad travelling to Singapore.
The reason why Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal is delayed
The report claims that Gyokeres' move to Arsenal has become "protracted," due to Sporting's annoyance with the player. Gyokeres refused to return to training, in protest for the Portuguese side to complete the transfer with Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Arsenal and Sporting have a loose agreement as it stands. Both clubs are in agreement on how much will be paid, and it will be €63.5m plus €10m in add-ons.
So, what's the hold up? Why isn't Gyokeres an Arsenal player yet?
Well, here's the kicker: Arsenal and Sporting still need to reach an agreement over those add-ons. As McNicholas puts it, "The criteria for those add-ons, and how achievable they are, are the focus of the remaining negotiations."
Either way you look at it, the fact that Arsenal wanted Gyokeres as part of their pre-season tour shows how confident the Gunners are, and how important Arteta sees his signing.