Arsenal told to upgrade 21-goal Viktor Gyokeres with £130m-rated striker

Arsenal have been told to ‘upgrade’ their frontline and replace Viktor Gyokeres with Julian Alvarez this summer.

Gyokeres has enjoyed a solid debut campaign with the Gunners following his arrival from Sporting CP last summer.

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The Sweden international has struck 21 times in all competitions this season and may add to that figure when Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final this weekend.

However, it’s imperative that Arsenal continue to build upon the squad that delivered Premier League title success for the first time in over 20 years.

And one area they could look to improve upon is the frontline, despite scoring 71 league goals this season.

The Premier League champions have been credited with an interest in £130m rated striker Alvarez, with Atletico Madrid seemingly prepared to entertain offers for the Argentine.

The 26-year-old, who scored eight league goals this season, is also wanted by Barcelona.

And speaking with Jeff Stelling on Breakfast on Tuesday morning, Ally McCoist believes Alvarez ‘would be an upgrade’ on Gyokeres at the Emirates Stadium.

“Gyokeres has had a good season, in terms of figures, but would Alvarez be an upgrade?” Stelling asked.

“Yes, yes he would. I’ve seen Alvarez a few times this season,” McCoist then replied.

“I think he would be an upgrade.”

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The talkSPORT pundit, though, did praise the Sweden international for his output this season, but also conceded that Alvarez would be a ‘step up’.

“Take nothing away because Gyokeres has had a good season,” McCoist continued.

“His figures have been good, and I think he’s actually progressed and got better as the season’s gone forward.

“I do think Alvarez would be a step up. I think he’s got a bit more quality.

“I think Arteta might look again at Gyokeres and expect continued improvement, again, which I think would be a realistic proposition.”

Arteta has a decision to make for Saturday’s Champions League final.

Gyokeres has been his go-to in the competition this season, scoring five goals in the process, however he has netted just once in the knockout stages.

Teammate Kai Havertz has started just one European match in the 2025/26 campaign, but has scored in two of four knockout matches, including key strikes at Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP.

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