Mikel Arteta has convinced Stan Kroenke to increase Arsenal’s transfer budget as club pushes for £63m deal

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Arsenal are showing a serious amount of ambition in the transfer window this summer.

Mikel Arteta has already welcomed Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal, a world-class addition who has been somewhat overshadowed by striker talk.

Despite signing the likes of Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke as well, Arsenal fans are simply desperate to see what striker Andrea Berta will land.

The new Arsenal sporting director is clearly doing a superb job since arriving in north London, and there’s genuine excitement that the Gunners are about to sign a serious number nine.

Viktor Gyokeres should soon be an Arsenal player despite delays in finding an agreement with Sporting CP, who are making sure that Berta pays what they consider to be a fair price.

Arsenal can’t finance Alexander Isak deal despite budget increase

That being said, some Arsenal fans might have been somewhat torn recently after talk that Alexander Isak could leave Newcastle United.

It was understood earlier in the summer that if Arteta could have the pick of signing any striker this summer, it would have been Isak.

And to that end, the Independent have now shared an insight into the feasibility of Arsenal making a late move for Isak, who was just left out of Newcastle’s first pre-season friendly.

TBR Football recently shared that Arsenal were happy with Viktor Gyokeres despite the possibility of Isak coming available.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes interesting claim about Riccardo Calafiori after watching him in Arsenal’s pre-season

And owing to the club’s finances, the Independent have reported similar — Arsenal are haggling over a £63m move for Viktor Gyokeres, let alone playing more than £120m for Isak.

Interestingly, the report did confirm that Arteta had ‘successfully argued to push the budget out this summer’.

Therefore, it would seem as if the Kroenkes are backing Arsenal’s ambition, even if a deal for Isak might be a step too far. 

Gyokeres has one clear advantage over Isak for Arsenal

Although Arsenal’s decision to stick with Gyokeres is a sensible one, there still might be some fans in N5 who would love to see Isak pick up the number 14 shirt.

In terms of comparing the two, it’s almost redundant to scrutinise the pair’s goalscoring records — they’re playing in completely different leagues.

But perhaps one thing that does bode well for Gyokeres is his excellent availability record.

Whereas Isak has occasionally missed games through injury at Newcastle, his 27-year-old compatriot has only missed three games since joining Sporting CP in 2023.

It’s a remarkable stat, and perhaps one that is being understated.

Isak isn’t injury-prone by any means, but he has repeatedly missed games at crucial times for Newcastle, as most players do.

However, in Gyokeres, Arsenal can expect to sign a striker who will rarely ever miss a game, and he’ll also cost a lot less too.