Arsenal's busy summer continues with the futures of Viktor Gyokeres and Oleksandr Zinchenko dominating headlines. The Gunners have already signed six new players, including Gyokeres, but the striker's protracted move from Sporting Lisbon was far from straightforward, according to those close to the deal.
Jonathan Chalkias, who works alongside Gyokeres' agent Hasan Cetinkaya, described the transfer as 'a mess'. He told Swedish network WTV: 'There was a gentleman’s agreement with the previous sporting director. If Hugo Viana were still at Sporting, the deal would have been done in an hour. Everything was written, we didn’t have time to start a legal battle.' Chalkias added that Gyokeres had offers from other Premier League clubs but remained committed to Arsenal.
Meanwhile, defender Oleksandr Zinchenko could be on his way out of the Emirates. The Ukraine international managed only eight starts last season, with Mikel Arteta preferring Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber. Arsenal value Zinchenko at around £15m, with Fulham reportedly entering talks with the player's camp. AC Milan are also said to be interested.
On the incoming front, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has welcomed the arrival of Gyokeres, branding him a 'very complete player'. Odegaard said: 'I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far... he's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well. I'm really excited to have him.'
The Gunners have also seen several departures, with Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu all leaving this summer.
