Viktor Gyokeres opens up on Man Utd snub as striker set for £300,000 a week Arsenal contract
PA
|WATCH NOW: Mikel Arteta opens up after Arsenal's final game of the 2024/25 season
The striker finally got the move he wanted after months of back and forth between teams
Don't Miss
Most Read
Latest
Arsenal have secured the signature of Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres in a £63.5 million deal from Sporting CP, with the striker revealing his reasons for choosing the Emirates Stadium ahead of Manchester United.
The 27-year-old forward had attracted significant interest from Old Trafford, where he would have been reunited with his former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.
However, the Sweden international opted to reject the opportunity to work with the Portuguese coach again, instead committing his future to Mikel Arteta's project in north London.
The striker finalised his switch to Arsenal earlier today, putting pen to paper on what represents a significant investment for the Gunners.
Reuters
|Viktor Gyokeres was finally unveiled as a Gunner on Saturday
Speaking about his decision to join Arsenal, Gyokeres explained: "I just felt that it was the right club for me."
The Swedish striker highlighted the influence of conversations with Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta, alongside his admiration for the team's footballing approach in recent seasons.
JUST IN: Emma Raducanu crashes out of Citi Open semi-final despite 'outrageous' performance
"When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against," Gyokeres revealed.
The forward also cited the club's rich heritage and devoted supporters as key factors in his decision.
"It's been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That's what it's all about. It's going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well," he added.
Reuters
|Viktor Gyokeres will earn £300,000 a week with his new contract
The Gunners have committed to a substantial financial package for their new striker, with Gyokeres penning a five-year agreement that will see him earn approximately £300,000 per week.
In a move laden with symbolism, the former Brighton, Swansea and Coventry player will don the number 14 jersey at the Emirates, a shirt number that carries significant weight having been worn by club legend Thierry Henry.
The Swedish international could potentially debut for his new club as early as next Thursday, when Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season fixture scheduled to take place in Hong Kong.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at securing the Swedish striker's services, praising the forward's exceptional qualities and track record.
"We're absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club," Arteta stated.
The Spanish manager emphasised the striker's remarkable consistency and availability, noting that his goalscoring statistics were self-evident.
Getty
|The striker will take on the No14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry
Arteta highlighted several key attributes that attracted Arsenal to the player: "Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels."
The Arsenal boss also praised Gyokeres' finishing ability and tactical intelligence, describing him as possessing "a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat."