Viktor Gyökeres Seeks Arsenal Exit Over Playing Time
Viktor Gyökeres wants to leave Arsenal in January after failing to secure a single Premier League start this season, TEAMtalk reported. The 28-year-old Sweden international, who arrived from Sporting CP in 2025, scored 21 goals across all competitions during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. Representatives for the striker are currently evaluating offers from clubs across Europe as his frustration over a reduced role grows. TEAMtalk reported that his representatives have fixed a valuation of more than £60 million for the forward. Meanwhile, English journalist Mark Brus reported that Gyökeres could consider leaving on an initial loan deal in January to secure regular first-team football, according to sport.fr.
Tactical Hierarchy Behind Kai Havertz and Julian Álvarez Links
Mikel Arteta has relied primarily on Kai Havertz as his first-choice central forward. Goal reported that Havertz’s movement and link-up play fit Arteta’s tactical system better, restricting Gyökeres’s league minutes to substitute appearances.
Complicating the situation further, CaughtOffside reported that Arsenal’s persistent interest in Atlético de Madrid forward Julian Álvarez has created uncertainty within the Swedish striker’s camp regarding his long-term standing at the Emirates Stadium. Sports Mole reported in September that Arsenal will not sanction a departure unless a top-tier replacement is secured, making Álvarez a central figure in any potential transfer puzzle.
European Suitors Line Up for the Swedish Forward
Atlético de Madrid remains interested in the forward, while his representatives have also tested the waters with clubs in the Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga, according to lentedesportiva.com. Sport.fr noted that Juventus and AC Milan are monitoring the situation closely alongside Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli.
Gyökeres is tied to Arsenal under a contract running until June 2030, with his market valuation estimated at approximately €65 million. Arteta signed a contract extension earlier this month keeping him at the club until 2030, and he has maintained consistent backing for Havertz up front.
International Form and the January Transfer Window
Away from domestic club action, Gyökeres maintained his scoring touch by netting four goals for Sweden during the recent international break. Neither Arsenal nor the player’s representatives have finalized any concrete negotiations ahead of the winter window.
Whether a permanent sale or a loan deal materializes in January depends entirely on how Arsenal’s pursuit of alternative forwards develops and whether Arteta adjusts his attacking hierarchy before the transfer window opens.