Arsenal star Gabriel gives Viktor Gyokeres verdict as transfer saga rumbles on

Gabriel Magalhaes has sang the praises of Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal continue to try and close a deal with Sporting Lisbon for the sought-after striker.

Gyokeres, 27, is the No 9 Arsenal want to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. However, they have so far failed to reach an agreement with Sporting, who want the add-ons in any deal - worth £63.6million in total - to be easily achievable.

The Sweden international has grown frustrated with Sporting's stance, particularly as he thought an agreement was in place for him to leave for a smaller sum this summer.

And while speculation and further talks continue to rumble on in the background, Gabriel was asked for his verdict on Gyokeres after coming face to face with the Sporting star in the Champions League last year.

The Brazil defender told BBC Sport: "We all know he is a great player, but he is a Sporting player not an Arsenal player.

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"Playing against him last year was a challenge. He is great and had a great season. About the celebration, it is something I can't talk about right now."

Reports in Portugal claiming that Manchester United were close to gazumping Arsenal to a deal for Gyokeres on Sunday briefly sparked panic among fans before being squashed.

It had been hoped Gyokeres would be signed in time to join Arsenal on their pre-season tour of Asia. But a deadlock over the structure of the £8.6m in add-ons that Sporting will receive has scuppered those plans.

While a deal for Gyokeres is not yet over the line, Arsenal have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke, with the young Valencia defender, Cristhian Mosquera, also set to join.

Speaking of Arsenal's summer business so far, Gabriel added: "I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager. They are definitely doing their best to bring the best players that can help us, but we have to focus on what we can do out on the pitch.

"The players that are here are doing that. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players.

"Definitely, it excites me. We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players."

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