Report: Arsenal will watch £60m player on Saturday, Gunners expected to bid if he does well

Arsenal are set to scout a transfer target on Saturday – with the Gunners expected to make a bid if all goes well.

Now, a bid could be submitted for a striker if Arsenal like what they see on Saturday…

Arsenal set to examine Viktor Gyokeres before potential bid

A story from Correio da Manhã in Portugal now claims that Arsenal are set to watch Viktor Gyokeres play for Sporting CP against Athletic Bilbao in the Cinco Violinos Trophy clash on Saturday.

The Gunners have already scouted the Sweden international on several occasions, although this specific trip is to determine whether the Sporting CP No.9 still looks effective after his recent knee surgery.

Correio da Manhã believe Arsenal have doubts about whether Gyokeres will fully recover and be the same nuisance for defenders as he was last season, when he remarkably scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in just 50 appearances.

The Portuguese news outlet add that Arsenal are expected to submit an official bid for the Swede at the beginning of August – if scouts give positive feedback on his performance against Athletic Bilbao.

Correio da Manhã add that Arsenal will also be keeping an eye on the 26-year-old if he plays in Sporting CP’s other upcoming friendlies against Farense and Sevilla.

Gunners need to be sure

Arsenal already suffered an injury nightmare last season when Jurrien Timber went to ground just 50 minutes into his Premier League debut, following a £38m move from Ajax.

The Netherlands international ended up missing the entire 2023/24 campaign – aside from the final game – so Arsenal have to be sure that Gyokeres is unlikely to suffer any fitness setbacks before making a move.

Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates scoring Sweden frist goal during the international friendly match between Portugal and Sweden on March 21, 202...

Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

£60m is a lot to spend on one player, and will limit what Arsenal can splash to strengthen other positions due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Therefore, Arteta and Edu really need to be confident that Gyokeres will not suffer a major fitness issue like Timber did, before spending such a large amount of money on his signature.