Arsenal Target Viktor Gyökeres Earns Praise from Gabriel Magalhães After Champions League Clash
Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, currently Arsenal’s top transfer target, has received public praise from defender Gabriel Magalhães, who described the Sporting CP forward as a “big challenge” and “a great player” following their encounter in last season’s Champions League.
“When we played against him, it was a big challenge for us,” Gabriel said in comments shared by the Arsenal Team profile. “What we know now is that he’s a great player who definitely had a great season last year.”
The remarks refer to a dominant 5–1 victory for Arsenal over Sporting during the Champions League campaign, where Gyökeres did not score but left a lasting impression through his physicality, movement, and impact on the pitch. The Brazilian centre-back’s recognition adds weight to Arsenal’s push to bring the 26-year-old back to England.
Gyökeres is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe after a prolific 2024–25 season, scoring 54 goals and providing 12 assists in 52 appearances. His performances have placed him firmly on the radar of clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Atlético de Madrid, but Arsenal currently lead the race for his signature.
The Portuguese club’s president is reportedly holding firm on his valuation, but sources indicate the striker has already expressed a clear preference for joining Mikel Arteta’s squad. Arsenal’s board is actively negotiating with Sporting and remains optimistic about finalizing a deal in the coming weeks.
If completed, Gyökeres would become Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer, joining Martín Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Nørgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Gunners are also pursuing Xavi Simons as part of their aggressive transfer strategy aimed at closing the gap at the top of the Premier League and making a deeper Champions League run.
Gyökeres, who previously played in England with Brighton and Coventry City, is expected to slot in as Arteta’s first-choice number 9, offering strength, pace, and clinical finishing to an already dynamic attack.
