Arsenal are making a move to sign the £130m star

A year after signing for Arsenal, it would be safe to say that the jury is still out on Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The forward area is the definition of marmite character. On the other hand, he finished as the top scorer for the Gunners in 2025/26 with 21 goals. He was i leading this division when they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

However, on the other hand, his general game leaves a lot to be desired. Compared to strikers in Europe's top five leagues, the former Coventry City man ranks as low as 10% for dribbling success and 73% for aerial duels.

He just can't take on players and struggles to hold the ball up. There is no greater value than goals.

Because of this, it still feels like Mikel Arteta's forward line is incomplete. It explains some of the links we have seen in the transfer window.

Arsenal are pushing to sign a big-money striker

Last year, Arsenal spent a lot of money to bring Gyokeres to the club but the planning did not go well. As a result, several strikers have already expressed their desire to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi is one player on their radar but the Cherries are in no position to sell, reportedly valuing the Frenchman at £80m-£100m.

Still, he'll be a smart signing. After all, this is one of the best young strikers in Europe. No teenager has ever scored more goals (13) in their first Premier League season in history.

That being said, the most proven striker is on their short list and he goes by the name of Julian Alvarez.

Earlier this week, reports emerged suggesting that the Atletico Madrid striker is very keen on moving to north London if his dream move to Barcelona does not come true.

Real Madrid have already seen a £130m bid rejected for his services this summer and Atletico are unwilling to sell him to another LaLiga club.

It prompted Arsenal to step up their interest but until that situation with Barca is sorted out, a move feels unlikely.

That's according to Fabrizio Romano who took to his YouTube channel to reveal the following: “The two clubs also tried to get into the story of Julian Alvarez trying to understand that the disagreement between Barca and Atletico could open the doors to new opportunities.”

Romano continued: “One team is PSG. PSG tried. And Arsenal made an approach to Alvarez and his camp but the player's response was 'thank you, but I want to go to Barcelona'. This is what Julian told Arsenal and PSG.”

Why Alvarez could be Arsenal's best striker since Auba

Over the past few years, Arsenal have really struggled to find a consistent striker. Gyokeres may have attracted a lot of criticism but ended the season as the top goalscorer in a single season since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019/20.

It is very sad that Aubameyang left under the circumstances he did, stripped of his captaincy and told to pack his bags after an unauthorized trip to Spain.

During his time at the Emirates, he was one of the best strikers the club has had in the modern era. His excellent campaign in front of goal saw him net 31 times. No player at the Emirates has come close to replicating those figures.

He had the raw pace and devastating finishing ability to match the likes of Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez. Gyokeres is flourishing in front of goal himself but unlike others, he does not have every game to win in the Premier League.

With Alvarez's form, they can sign their next Aubameyang, their next brutal striker who can register a 30-goal season.

The Argentine has long been regarded as one of the best strikers in European football and since his move to Atleti, he has only backed up those claims.

In his first year at Madrid, the former Manchester City man scored 29 times. Last season was slow, netting 20 times, but he still provided plenty of assists.

Compared to Gyokeres, that's one of the highlights of Alvarez's game. He ranks among the top 20% of players in the same area on the continent for dribbling efficiency, and among the top 6% for forwards. Like Aubameyang, he is an incredibly direct player, even if he is quiet and boasts the same speed and agility.

Alvarez is actually worse than Gyokeres when it comes to aerial battles, he ranks in the worst 3% but combines things much better, sitting in the top 9% of strikers for expected threat in the playoffs.

With his ability to play on the left, Auba has been particularly strong when it comes to linking up with his teammates so there is real excitement here that Arsenal could land their best striker since the Gabon international returned in 2022.