Three players Arsenal could sign from Barcelona in exchange for Viktor Gyokeres

In one of the surprise, potentially agent-led stories of the summer, Viktor Gyokeres is pushing for an exit from Arsenal and a move to Barcelona.

Loose reports emerged last week indicating that the Spanish giants were weighing up a move for the Swede as an alternative to Julian Alvarez, who seemingly won't leave Atletico Madrid for the Camp Nou at any cost. These reports have now developed with journalists Reshad Rahman and Victor Nahe suggesting that Gyokeres is 'offering himself' to Barcelona and that the player's agent has met the Catalan outfit's sporting director Deco to discuss a move.

While the whole thing seems rather unlikely, it's not impossible that Barcelona are considering Gyokeres. Despite some of his dubious displays in England last term, his reputation on the continent remains strong. He did, after all, find the back of the net 21 times for the Premier League champions.

The options are wearing thin for La Blaugrana, and they may ultimately end up doing something reckless like prying Gyokeres away from the Emirates. Arsenal are unlikely to sell if they don't have a contingency plan, but they may be tempted to cash in on a player who is seemingly not first choice - as Mikel Arteta's Community Shield team selection highlighted.

With that said, here are three Barcelona players Arsenal should bring to the table and request to sign in exchange, if negotiations reach a stage where the saga becomes serious.

Raphinha

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Raphinha, and even if he's in the twilight of his career, he'd be worth looking at. The 29-year-old would provide Arsenal with the left-winger they've been looking for, at least for the next year or two.

While injury issues are a growing concern for the Brazilian, he did still manage an extremely productive season in 2025/26. Netting 21 goals and providing seven assists in 33 appearances, he possesses the level of output that the Gunners want on their left flank.

He's also developed into a wide man who would dovetail excellently with Bukayo Saka. At Leeds, he was the creative hub of the team, with everything running through him. At Barcelona, he's evolved from a ball-dominant playmaker to an off-ball finisher who arrives at the back post after the play is built on the other side by Lamine Yamal. He can certainly play a similar role at Arsenal, and he can be elite at it.

Many might be wondering why Barcelona would sanction Raphinha's exit. Well, given he turns 30 in December, has had some injuries, and Hansi Flick has signed two wingers this summer in Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, it's definitely plausible.

Xavi Espart

A name many might not be familiar with, Xavi Espart is a talanted 19-year-old central midfielder who has developed through Barcelona's La Masia academy.

He closely mirrors the plethora of talented young midfielders who have come out of the same academy in recent years, including Gavi, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez.

Boasting incredible depth in midfield and recently adding Bruno Guimaraes to this group, it's reasonable to question the need for a new midfielder at Arsenal. However, there are increasingly noisy rumours that Martin Zubimendi could leave before the end of the window, and even if he doesn't, the Gunners need to get younger in this area of the pitch.

Guimaraes, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze are all over the age of 27. Myles Lewis-Skelly needs a new long-term partner, and Arsenal might as well take a punt on another La Masia midfielder prospect, sign him before he's established himself at Barcelona and develop him over the next few years by loaning him out somewhere.

Rodri has arrived at the Camp Nou, and he joins the list of midfielders ahead of Espart in the pecking order. Gavi, Pedri, Bernal, Frenkie De Jong, Casado and Dani Olmo are all at Flick's disposal. Espart, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the Catalan club but has impressed in pre-season, does not have a pathway to first-team minutes.

Wojciech Szczesny

Pre-season showed that Arsenal might need to upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga to ensure they don't suffer in cup competitions or if David Raya were to sustain an injury. Why not ask for former goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in prospective negotiations with Barcelona for Gyokeres?

It's not clear that the Pole would definitely be an upgrade on Kepa, but he'd at least be hugely popular with supporters, which his Spanish counterpart certainly isn't at the moment. On a one-year deal, latched on to the Gyokeres move, while securing £5 million for Kepa, it can't be much worse than keeping the former Chelsea man.

Even if he proves unusuable, which he shouldn't given he played 12 times for Barcelona last season, Illan Meslier is waiting in the wings if needed.

Szczesny has expressed his love for Arsenal publicly numerous times. Bringing him home would be the romantic transfer of the summer.

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