Arsenal star 'wants to leave' and offers to join Barcelona before transfer deadline

Arsenal and Barcelona could work on a deal (Pictures: Getty)

Mikel Arteta’s trust in Kai Havertz and Arsenal’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has led Viktor Gyokeres to explore a move away from the Premier League champions.

Sweden international Gyokeres endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium, scoring 21 goals in all competitions.

While that contribution helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004 and reach the Champions League final, there were concerns over Gyokeres’ all-round play.

As a result Arsenal expressed interest in signing Julian Alvarez earlier in the summer but Atletico Madrid are still determined to keep hold of the Argentine World Cup winner.

The Gunners have also been linked with a fresh move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins while last week they reportedly opened talks with Galatasaray over a deal for Victor Osimhen.

Like Atletico, Galatasaray have no interest in selling their superstar striker so close to the transfer deadline, but that has not deterred Arsenal who are still interested in striking a deal.

Even if a new striker does not arrive in north London before the summer transfer window shuts, Gyokeres faces a battle for game-time with Kai Havertz starting last weekend’s emphatic Community Shield win over Manchester City.

Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal last summer (Picture: Getty)

Havertz missed much of last season through injury, only making 12 Premier League appearances, but looks set for an influential campaign given he has the trust of Arsenal boss Arteta.

The prospect of playing back-up to Havertz and possibly even Osimhen has forced Gyokeres to consider his future at Arsenal and the 28-year-old in fact ‘wants to leave’, according to COPE.

The Spanish outlet say Gyokeres’ has a ‘desire’ to move on this summer and has ‘offered himself’ to Barcelona as the La Liga champions look for a new striker.

Mikel Arteta is interested in signing a new striker (Picture: Getty)

Barca have been linked with a move for £64m former Sporting star Gyokeres as they too struggle to persuade Atletico to sell first-choice target Alvarez.

It is claimed Gyokeres’ representatives are hoping to land a meeting with Barcelona transfer chief Deco to discuss a move to the Nou Camp.

Earlier this week, Gyokeres insisted he was fully focussed on the new Premier League campaign amid speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal.

Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m looking forward a lot, it’s going to be nice to start a league campaign again and to start against my old club,’ Gyokeres told talkSPORT.

‘It’s a great way to start at home so I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t played against them so of course it’s going to be nice to see a few of them that are still there and meet the fans as well.

‘Everyone starts on zero points again, so we have to do it all over again. We don’t have to defend it [the title], we just have to win as many games as we can and then hopefully, we’ll be there in the end again.’