Arsenal closes a £ 63.5 million deal with Sporting Lisbon for primary target Viktor Gyokeres, but former Gunners -star William Gallas has warned the striker that he has to make “two or three steps up” in the Premier League
Former Arsenal, William Gallas, Viktor Gyokeres has warned that he might have to make “two or three steps up” when he arrives in the Premier League, and it says that it will be difficult for him to adapt to the hardships of the English top flight.
After signing £ 63.5 million gyokeres, the Gunners close after reaching a breakthrough in conversations with his club with Sporting Lisbon, in what a huge boost is for Mikel Arteta in the midst of his search for a top quality striker.
Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season and is tipped to help Arsenal to end their trophy drought and regularly compete for the Premier League title.
Last season, Arsenal played a large part of the campaign without a recognized No. 9 and fans celebrate the approaching arrival of Gyokeres, but former defender Gallas has warned excited supporters that the Swedish star can take the time to reach in England.
Gallas admitted that he can “be attacked” for his opinion that Gyokees had a greater advantage against defenders in the Portuguese League.
“He not only makes a step up. It looks more like two or three steps, from sports to Arsenal at the moment,” Gallas told Genting Casino.
“He will play against defenders who are really strong, perhaps the strongest. In the first season he will have to adjust. He is long, he is huge, so I can be attacked because he says this, but in Portugal he had a much bigger advantage of the defenders. He will soon have to adapt to the Premier League defenders.”
Gallas, who played 142 times for Arsenal, said he hoped that Gyokees was an immediate success with the Emirates, but said fans should not be surprised if he was better in his second season.
“There is a chance that his second year is much stronger than his first year at Arsenal,” he added. “But Arsenal no longer wants to wait for a big trophy. And the signing of a striker is seen as the last piece of the puzzle to do that exactly.
“I hope that when he comes in, he comes in and touches the ground. We all waited for Arsenal to sign a murderer. Only time will learn whether Gyokees is a murderer in the Premier League.”
It is understood that Gyokeres has already agreed personal conditions for a five -year -old deal with Arsenal, who hope to have him on time for their tour for the season in Asia.
The deal has been far from simple, with Sporting initially played hardball after the £ 60 million bid was rejected, with Gyokeres in strike to force a movement.