Viktor Gyokeres: Barcelona chase Arsenal star after signing Rodri

17 Aug 2026 07:58 BST | 4 min read

Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Barcelona are exploring the possibility of signing Viktor Gyokeres from Arsenal following their successful move for Manchester City star Rodri.

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Although a deal is not official for the World Cup Golden Ball winner, the Spain captain is expected to complete his move to the Blaugrana imminently in a €70 million deal.

Following that move, Barcelona will turn their attentions towards addressing their vacant No.9 spot and they intend to move for Gyokeres, according to a report from El Chiriguito (via Sport).

Current ETV

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€49.2M - €60.2M

Gyokeres added to Barcelona’s striker shortlist

Barca are without a centre-forward following the decision of Robert Lewandowski to depart the club as a free agent in the summer.

Julian Alvarez has been their priority target, but a move for the Argentina international has been repeatedly shut down by Atletico Madrid, who have pointed to the player’s €500m release fee as their price.

While head coach Hansi Flick wants the Blaugrana to continue to push for the ex-Manchester City attacker, other possibilities are being explored, with Gyokeres now foremost among them.

As well as the Sweden international, the Catalans are also exploring deals for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Sporting CP’s Luis Suarez while they have even been linked with a left-field move for Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez: Barcelona's top target

Gyokeres bid will be made ‘in the coming hours’

Barcelona are ready to make a bid for the Arsenal forward, according to journalist Jose Alvarez, and will make a proposal for the player “in the coming hours”.

Gyokeres is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Ferran Torres, who departed Barca to join PSG last week.

It’s claimed that the Catalans’ believe he is a viable target as he struggled to hold down a starting berth despite signing from Sporting in a €70m deal in 2025.

A claim that does not stand up

Arsenal are not considering selling Gyokeres, according to FootballTransfers’ information.

The Sweden hitman, who netted 21 times last season, was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid as a makeweight in a deal for Julian Alvarez earlier this summer, but the Gunners were never willing to entertain any offer for the striker.

There has been no evidence to suggest that Arsenal’s position on the 28-year-old has shifted, particularly just a week out from the start of the Premier League season.

© IMAGO - Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly

Gyokeres enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in North London, delivering the goals and physical presence Arsenal believed he would bring when they invested heavily to secure his signature.

His performances throughout the season have only strengthened the club's belief that he can be a leading figure in their attack for years to come.

The suggestion that Arsenal would listen to offers involving a striker they only signed last summer, and who has enjoyed a successful first season at the Emirates, simply does not stand up.

Barcelona, of course, are free to make a bid for Gyokeres, but they can expect it to be rejected out of hand by the Premier League champions.