Berta opens talks to sign “frightening” £43m star for Arsenal; Gyokeres will love him – Report…

Berta initiates discussions to secure the “frightening” £43m star for Arsenal; Gyokeres will appreciate him – Report

Gyokeres will appreciate him: Berta initiates discussions to acquire £43m winger for Arsenal

And just like that, Viktor Gyokeres has taken off at Arsenal.

Following a brief appearance against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong and a lackluster 60 minutes against Villarreal, the Swedish striker made his mark at the Emirates with a stunning header on Saturday evening.

This was the ideal way to quell some of the incredibly premature speculation regarding his fit for Mikel Arteta’s squad and should be sufficient for him to start against Manchester United this Sunday.

Furthermore, if the reports are accurate, it seems Arsenal is eyeing another attacking talent, someone who could enhance the performance of the former Sporting CP star.

Arsenal seeks the ideal partner for Gyokeres

With those two losses now firmly behind them, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that this summer has been one of Arsenal’s finest in recent memory, largely due to the efforts of Andrea Berta and his team.

For instance, in addition to acquiring first-team game-changers like Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, the Italian Sporting Director has significantly strengthened the squad’s depth with signings such as Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, and Cristhian Mosquera.

However, despite already welcoming six new players, the Gunners are not finished and now seem eager to sign a dynamic attacker who could serve as an ideal partner for Gyokeres.

At least, that is what a recent report suggests, indicating that Arsenal is very keen on Malick Fofana, who has also attracted Liverpool’s attention.

Moreover, the report has disclosed that the North London club has already engaged in discussions with Lyon regarding the talented winger, whom they value at £43m.

This transfer could prove to be complex and expensive to finalize, especially considering Arne Slot’s team, but Fofana had an outstanding season last year and could help maximize Gyokeres’ potential this season.

Why Fofana would be an ideal fit for Gyokeres

During the game on Saturday, there were certainly instances when Gyokeres dropped deeper to assist in the build-up and to disrupt Bilbao’s defensive line, but it is evident that he feels most at ease within the penalty area.

This is the zone where he has excelled over the past two years, and it comes as no surprise that nearly all of his shots last season originated from this area.

To maximize the Swede’s potential this season, Arsenal must field players alongside him who excel at delivering the ball into threatening positions, whether through passing or dribbling.

Fortunately, Fofana is exceptionally skilled at the latter, as demonstrated by FBref, which places him in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, the top 6% for carries into the final third, and the top 9% for progressive carrying distance, among other metrics, all per 90 minutes.

In essence, the young “game-changing” talent, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is outstanding at advancing the ball up the field and into scoring opportunities, making him a perfect partner for the Gunners’ new number 14.

Additionally, he is not merely a playmaker; the 20-year-old dynamo, whom Mango notes possesses “frightening speed & acceleration,” managed to net 11 goals and provide six assists in 41 appearances, totaling 2280 minutes last season.

This means that the sought-after talent averaged a goal contribution every 2.41 games, or every 134.11 minutes.

Ultimately, Fofana appears poised for a breakout in the upcoming seasons, and while he would be a fantastic acquisition on his own, the prospect of him teaming up with Gyokeres is particularly thrilling, which is why Arsenal should do everything possible to turn this vision into reality.