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Arsenal could be on the verge of a major exit just as their Premier League title defence gets under way, with reports indicating that an important forward is aggressively trying to secure a move to Barcelona. In spite of a productive first season at the Emirates, the attraction of Camp Nou appears to have influenced the player's thinking as the transfer deadline draws closer.

Viktor Gyokeres pushing for Camp Nou move

In a dramatic twist late in the summer transfer window, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly “offering himself to Barcelona daily”. The 28-year-old, who joined the Emirates Stadium only a year ago in a high-profile transfer from Sporting CP, now seems prepared to bring his Premier League spell to an end.

Flick looking for attacking reinforcements

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made no secret of his desire for greater depth in attack after Robert Lewandowski departed on a free transfer and Ferran Torres completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain. The La Liga champions had first set their sights on Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but Atleti chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has reportedly blocked any move for the Argentina forward.

COPE journalist Victor Navarro says Gyokeres’ camp believes there is now an opening to complete a move to the Catalan giants after Barcelona’s other leading targets fell through. Giving an update on the club’s continuing search for a striker, Navarro wrote on X: “Lautaro Martinez becomes, with the consensus of the entire club, the number one option for Barca. Yesterday the club once again received the information that [Atletico Madrid CEO Angel] Gil Marín is vetoing Julian Alvarez. Gyokeres is offering himself to Barça daily. [Nicolo] Tresoldi is very, very much liked at FCB.”

Although Martinez remains the dream target, Gyokeres could emerge as the more practical option for Flick because of the financial and logistical realities involved, especially with the transfer deadline approaching quickly.

Frustration at the Emirates

Despite Arsenal winning the Premier League title last season, Gyokeres ended the campaign in a difficult situation. Mikel Arteta increasingly preferred Kai Havertz as the central striker for the club’s biggest matches, including the Champions League final. That pattern carried into the new season as well, with Havertz starting the Community Shield win over Manchester City while Gyokeres was restricted to a short appearance from the bench.

Arsenal’s squad clear-out goes on

Any sale of Gyokeres would represent a major change of direction for Arsenal, who paid £55 million to sign him from Sporting CP. Even so, with the player tied down until 2030, the Gunners are in a strong position to ask for a sizeable fee if they choose to sanction his departure.

As Arsenal get ready to begin their title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City, the distraction created by Gyokeres’ daily attempts to interest Barcelona is something Arteta will want sorted out swiftly. While the striker still remains an important part of the squad’s depth, his apparent wish for a new beginning in Spain could leave the club with a decision to make.