Arsenal Eye Dembele, Gyokeres Trouble 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal are reportedly seriously considering signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele in the summer of 2026, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
• Dembele, 28, has excelled at PSG, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists in 24 matches this season (2025/26), and 35 goals with 16 assists in 53 appearances last season (2024/25).
• The French international won the 2025 Ballon d’Or and the 2025 Best FIFA Men’s Player award following PSG’s Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League triumphs.
• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta believe Dembele’s pedigree would raise the squad’s competitive level.
• PSG boss Luis Enrique described Dembele as “a unique player with the ball” and “truly special” earlier this month.
• Dembele’s contract with PSG, last season’s Ligue 1 and Champions League winners, expires in summer 2028.
• Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s established right-winger, so Dembele would likely play as centre-forward, directly challenging Viktor Gyokeres.
• Gyokeres, Arsenal’s main striker since joining from Sporting CP in summer 2025 for around £63.5m-£63.8m, has 13 goals and 2 assists in 34 appearances this season, including just 8 in 24 Premier League games.
• The rumour could relegate Gyokeres to the bench, as Dembele is seen as a significant upgrade.
• Fichajes reports need caution due to their speculative nature.
• Additional context: SciSports analysis gives Arsenal a high Club Fit score of 83 for Dembele, suggesting a strong tactical match, with his Estimated Transfer Value at €96.8m.
• PSG joined Dembele from Barcelona for €50m in 2023; no January move likely, but summer 2026 worth watching.​

Arsenal (North London News) February 17, 2026 – Arsenal’s potential pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele in the summer transfer window has sparked intense speculation, putting pressure on current striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Who is Ousmane Dembele and why is he linked with Arsenal?

Ousmane Dembele, the 28-year-old France international, has emerged as one of the world’s elite attackers since joining PSG from Barcelona for €50 million in the summer of 2023. Capable of playing as a right-winger or centre-forward, he has primarily featured centrally for PSG over the past two seasons. This season (2025/26), Dembele has already notched 11 goals and 7 assists in 24 matches across all competitions.

Last campaign (2024/25), his form was extraordinary: 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances, helping PSG secure Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. In Ligue 1 alone, he scored 21 goals and provided 8 assists in 29 games, sharing the top scorer honour. His Champions League contributions included 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches, with key strikes against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

These performances earned Dembele the 2025 Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Men’s Player award, cementing his status as a global talent. PSG manager Luis Enrique praised him earlier this month, calling him “a unique player with the ball” and “truly special”.

What did Fichajes report about Arsenal’s interest?

As reported by journalists at Fichajes, a Spanish outlet known for speculative coverage, Arsenal have taken a shine to Dembele and are keen to bring the PSG forward to the Emirates Stadium in summer 2026. The report claims Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are ‘seriously considering signing the current Ballon d’Or winner’.

Fichajes states the north London club believe the 28-year-old’s ‘pedigree would raise the competitive level of Mikel Arteta’s squad’. Dembele remains under contract at PSG until summer 2028, giving the Ligue 1 champions a strong position.

Teamtalk, citing Fichajes directly, echoed these details, noting the rumours could trouble Gyokeres.

How does Viktor Gyokeres fit into this rumour?

Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s primary striker since his £63.5m-£63.8m move from Sporting CP in summer 2025, faces direct competition if Dembele arrives. The 27-year-old Swede has managed 13 goals and 2 assists in 34 appearances this season, but only 8 goals in 24 Premier League outings—a return deemed insufficient for title aspirations.

Gyokeres previously excelled at Sporting, scoring 54 goals in 52 games last term, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League. Upon joining Arsenal, he expressed excitement:

“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I’ve improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real”.

Sky Sports reported Arsenal agreed the deal as their top priority after links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

With Bukayo Saka entrenched as right-winger, Dembele would target the centre-forward role, potentially benching Gyokeres. Teamtalk highlighted:

“Dembele would be a far better upgrade on Gyokeres, whose arrival at the Emirates Stadium would relegate the Swede to the substitutes’ bench”.

Is a Dembele to Arsenal transfer realistic?

Football Transfers noted PSG’s unease over Dembele’s contract extension, with Arsenal monitoring closely. SciSports’ Career Advice tool rates Arsenal’s fit for Dembele at 83—nearly matching his PSG performance—based on development, playing time, style, and formation.

However, his €96.8m Estimated Transfer Value and contract until 2028 make it challenging. No January deal is feasible, but summer 2026 bears watching, per Football Transfers. PSG prioritises Luis Enrique’s team focus and won’t welcome disruption.

Marca earlier linked Dembele to Arsenal after he scored in a Champions League semi-final first leg against them in 2025.​

What are Dembele’s positional strengths for Arsenal?

Dembele’s versatility suits Mikel Arteta’s system: right-wing or centre-forward. At PSG, he has thrived centrally, but his dribbling and pace could complement Saka. Sky Sports analysts once questioned if Gyokeres was Arsenal’s “missing piece or a gamble,” underscoring striker needs.

Could this impact Arsenal’s squad dynamics?

Arsenal view Dembele as an elite addition to elevate competition. Gyokeres’ form dip—contrasting his Sporting peak—fuels upgrade talk. Teamtalk warned:

“Viktor Gyokeres will surely be worried if rumours… are true”.

Broader Arsenal news includes interest in Everton’s winger (Manchester United ahead) and talks over Martin Odegaard’s future, per Graeme Bailey.​

What have other sources said about Dembele’s form?

Sporting News detailed Dembele’s 2024/25: 34 goals, 16 assists in 52 games across competitions, including Coupe de France success. SI.com confirmed his Ballon d’Or win, crediting PSG’s dominance.

Transfermarkt tracks his ongoing 2025/26 stats.​

Why might PSG sell Dembele?

Despite his contract, extension tensions exist. PSG’s strong negotiating stance persists.

This story, rooted in Fichajes’ claims but amplified across outlets like Teamtalk and Football Transfers, highlights Arsenal’s ambition amid Gyokeres’ adaptation struggles. As a neutral observer, these developments merit scrutiny given sources’ speculative leanings, but Dembele’s pedigree demands attention in North London’s transfer saga.