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<p>Leading goal scorers in Europe’s top leagues</p>
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<img alt="Viktor Gyökeres close to signing with Arsenal - Can he maintain his impressive goal-scoring record in the Premier League?"
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title="Viktor Gyökeres close to signing with Arsenal - Can he maintain his impressive goal-scoring record in the Premier League?">
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p>Arsenal appears set to secure a striker soon. There has been considerable demand for the north London club to invest in a new no. 9, and reports suggest they are close to finalizing a deal for Sporting's scoring sensation, Viktor Gyökeres. As highlighted by <em>The Athletic</em>, the player has agreed to personal terms on a five-year deal, with an initial fee of €63.5 million plus an additional €10 million in performance-related bonuses. Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, is eager to resolve this quickly before the squad returns for pre-season training in July.</p>
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<p>Previously, Arsenal had shown interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. However, due to Leipzig's unwillingness to reduce their asking price for the Slovenian forward, the Gunners redirected their focus to Gyökeres. The club's new Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, has admired Gyökeres for some time. The Swedish international joined Sporting from Coventry City for €24 million in 2023 and has been exceptionally prolific during his two seasons in Portugal. Currently valued at €75 million, Gyökeres has outscored every player in Europe’s top leagues since joining Sporting. The question now is whether the 27-year-old can translate his remarkable Liga Portugal performance to the Premier League, the highest level of football globally. We explore this topic further with insights from Portugal.</p>
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<h2>Can Viktor Gyökeres sustain his goal-scoring prowess in the Premier League?</h2>
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<p>As shown in the graphic above, Gyökeres leads the top European leagues with 68 goals in 66 matches since joining Sporting, outpacing Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, who has netted 62 goals. However, these impressive statistics do not guarantee success at Arsenal. The standard in Liga Portugal is significantly lower than that of the Premier League, and throughout his career, Gyökeres has not played in any of the top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1).</p>
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<p>It’s also worth mentioning that 17 of those 68 goals came from penalties. However, it's crucial to recognize that last season, Arteta successfully utilized midfielder Mikel Merino as a forward, despite him never having played that role before. Similarly, he has adapted Kai Havertz into a striker during his tenure at the Emirates. If Arteta can achieve such performance from versatile players, it's reasonable to believe he could unlock the potential of a natural scorer like Gyökeres.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>€75.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€70.00m</p>
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<p>Centre-Forward</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Centre-Forward</p>
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<p>Jun 30, 2028</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>Jun 30, 2029</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>Gonçalo Tristão Santos, <em>Transfermarkt's</em> Area Manager in Portugal, elaborates on Gyökeres's strengths: “He is a physically imposing striker with exceptional movement, particularly during counter-attacks. His explosive acceleration, powerful dribbling, and sharp finishing make him a significant threat. Despite his physicality, he is surprisingly quick and can leave defenders trailing during fast breaks. Moreover, he is adept at holding the ball and linking play with teammates.” While Arsenal typically dominates possession, limiting his counter-attacking effectiveness, his ability to facilitate hold-up play becomes vital.</p>
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<p>“Regarding weaknesses, his first touch under pressure isn't always reliable, and while he can pass, it’s not his strongest attribute,” Santos added. “He is undoubtedly one of the most complete and dominant strikers that Liga Portugal has seen in recent years. His combination of physicality, technical skill, and clinical awareness is rare in this league. I would rank him among the elite, alongside players like Mário Jardel or Radamel Falcao. Gyökeres also shares similarities with another Swedish forward in the Premier League, Alexander Isak. Both have the ability to drift wide, intelligently attack space, and finish with poise. Though Gyökeres is more aggressive and raw in style, they both bring mobility and unpredictability, particularly against high defensive lines.”</p>
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<p>Gyökeres possesses many attributes that could enable him to make a significant impact in the Premier League. However, the crucial question remains: Can he adapt smoothly to the heightened competition? “I believe he has all the qualities necessary to succeed in the Premier League,” admitted Santos. “He has previously thrived in physically demanding leagues like the Championship and has developed further at Sporting, enhancing his tactical and technical skills. The key is his adjustment to the quicker pace and more sophisticated defenses of the Premier League. With the right support, especially in a strong team like Arsenal, he could truly excel.”</p>
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<p>With a projected fee of around €70 million, it's a substantial investment. Yet, given the current market and Gyökeres's potential contributions based on his performance in Portugal, it is a justified expenditure. He could represent a long-term solution for Arsenal’s no. 9 position, providing both goals and a relentless work ethic. If he integrates well, his signing could yield significant value for the club. However, as he enters his 27-year-old season, the expectations will be high, and the Gunners will be counting on the goal-scoring machine Gyökeres to bring his impressive form from Portugal to the Premier League, assisting Arsenal in their pursuit of major trophy success once again.</p>
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