Gyokeres edges towards Arsenal exit as AC Milan weigh January loan move

Viktor Gyokeres is moving closer to leaving Arsenal in January, with AC Milan making exploratory contact over a potential loan deal for the Sweden international, according to reports from PianetaMilan.

The 28-year-old arrived at the Emirates last summer as a long-awaited focal point in Mikel Arteta’s attack, and his debut season delivered 21 goals in all competitions — enough to make him Arsenal’s top scorer as the club won a first Premier League title in 22 years and reached a second-ever Champions League final. Yet his time in north London has been far from straightforward.

Gyokeres has drawn criticism for his hold-up play and aerial contribution, and FourFourTwo understands he was touted for sale as far back as the summer. Arteta chose not to use him from the bench in Premier League fixtures before the transfer window closed, with Kai Havertz firmly established as first-choice centre-forward. Mikel Merino also offers an attacking option, further limiting Gyokeres’ path to regular starts.

Milan’s interest is rooted partly in the connection between Gyokeres and new Rossoneri head coach Ruben Amorim, who oversaw the striker’s extraordinary run of 97 goals in 102 appearances at Sporting CP — including better than a goal-a-game in the Portuguese top flight. The Italian club signed Gonçalo Ramos over the summer, but the Portuguese forward has struggled for form and consistency.

Reports suggest Milan would prefer a loan arrangement, and FourFourTwo believes Gyokeres himself is open to moving on rather than remaining a peripheral figure at the Premier League champions. Transfermarkt values the Swede at €65 million.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are still looking to strengthen in attack after the summer departures of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard, with only Christos Tzolis arriving as a direct replacement. Arteta retains an interest in Atlético Madrid’s Julian Álvarez, who has yet to be fully reintegrated under Diego Simeone following Barcelona’s decision to cool their pursuit.