Gabriel Shares Honest Opinion on Arsenal’s Target Viktor Gyokeres and Discusses the Gunners’ Season Outlook

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has expressed his views on the club’s ongoing transfer saga involving Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres. The club is close to finalizing a deal valued at an initial £55million, plus £7.4million in potential add-ons, with Gyokeres having agreed to a five-year contract.

Although the transfer was scheduled to be completed before Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia, disagreements over bonus payments and payment structure have delayed the negotiations. Sporting Lisbon is pushing for a larger upfront fee.

Gabriel and the team faced Gyokeres in last season’s Champions League group stage, where Gabriel mimicked Gyokeres’s signature celebration after scoring. The 27-year-old Swede scored an impressive 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting last season, earning praise from Gabriel, who described Gyokeres as a talented player, though he emphasized that he remains a Sporting player at this moment.

“Playing against him was a challenge. He played a great season. About his celebration, I can’t comment right now,” Gabriel said.

Arsenal have bolstered their squad with new signings including Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Discussing the club’s transfer strategy, Gabriel highlighted the importance of strengthening the team to compete for titles, saying, “The club is doing its best to bring in top players. We’re focused on performing well on the pitch, and with these new additions, we’re becoming stronger.”

The defender is optimistic about the team’s future. Having been at Arsenal for five years, he believes the club is progressing and that this season could be different from previous campaigns.

“I believe this year will be different. We’ve come close to winning titles before, and I have strong faith that we can achieve that this time,” Gabriel asserted.

Arsenal is set to face AC Milan on July 23 and Newcastle on July 27 during the Singapore Festival of Football, as part of their pre-season preparations.

Gabriel’s comments reflect his confidence in the squad’s growth and the team’s ambition to secure their first title in recent years.