Arsenal hit major stumbling block in race to sign 26-year-old star wanted by Barcelona: Reports

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has lately been linked with La Liga giants Barcelona, has reportedly rejected a permanent move to Arsenal.

Gyokeres, 26, has been the talk of the town since joining his club for £20 million in the summer of 2023. The former Coventry City star has allegedly attracted interest from a host of European heavyweights of late.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net, Gyokeres has decided to snub Arsenal's approach ahead of the January transfer window. The Barcelona target is said to be aiming to take decisions with caution now.

Gyokeres, who has reportedly been identified as Robert Lewandowski's successor at Barcelona, is currently focused on performing well for Sporting this season. The Sweden international has registered 23 goals and four assists in 18 overall outings for his club this campaign.

Apart from Arsenal and Barcelona, the right-footed star has also lately been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. The player has a release clause of £83 million in his contract.

Since leaving Coventry City in 2023, the Arsenal and Barcelona target has bagged 66 goals and laid out 19 assists in just 68 overall matches for Sporting. The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has contributed 15 goals and six assists in 26 outings for Sweden since 2019.

Arsenal urged to sign Premier League striker

During a recent chat on talkSPORT Breakfast, former Aston Villa attacker Gabriel Agbonlahor shared his thoughts on the Gunners' frontline. He said:

"They're too reliant on [Bukayo] Saka. [Gabriel] Martinelli will turn up one game out of five."

Ex-Manchester United forward Alan Brazil also pitched in and added:

"[Kai] Havertz doesn't look to me like he's that leader that you want up front. They miss a striker."

Urging the Gunners to rope in Alexander Isak, Agbonlahor concluded:

"Arsenal are dying for an Isak. He can hold the ball up, he's strong, he's aggressive, he's quick in behind and he can score every type of goal. Havertz is getting bullied, you don't know where he's playing. The Chelsea game he was so poor. If they don't make a top striker sign in January, I don't think they're going to be up there."

Isak, who joined Newcastle United from Real Sociedad for £63 million in 2022, has popped up as one of the best strikers in the Premier League of late. He has scored five goals and registered two assists in 11 appearances across competitions for his current club this season.

On the other hand, Kai Havertz has produced seven goals and an assist in 17 total matches for Mikel Arteta's side in the ongoing 2024-25 season.