Gyökeres Eyes Arsenal Exit as AC Milan Open Transfer Talks London 2026

Key Points

• Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres is reportedly seeking a departure from English champions Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window due to a significant reduction in playing time under manager Mikel Arteta.
• Preliminary contacts have reportedly taken place between the player’s representatives and Italian club AC Milan regarding a potential winter transfer, initially structured as a loan with an option to buy.
• Gyökeres has recorded only five appearances and 207 total minutes across all competitions in the early stages of the season, having dropped down the pecking order behind Kai Havertz.
• The 28-year-old was Arsenal’s leading goalscorer with 21 goals in all competitions during their Premier League title-winning campaign after joining for £63.5 million including add-ons.
• Representatives of the forward have reportedly held exploratory discussions with additional clubs, including Juventus, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.
• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is executing a tactical refinement, prioritizing alternative attacking profiles while national team manager Graham Potter has publicly defended the player’s credentials.

Arsenal (North London News) September 23, 2026 – Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres is actively exploring options to leave the Premier League champions during the upcoming January transfer window following a sharp drop in first-team opportunities under manager Mikel Arteta.

As reported by TEAMtalk and covered across British and European media outlets, representatives acting on behalf of the 28-year-old Swedish international have opened preliminary discussions with Italian Serie A side AC Milan to evaluate the financial parameters and feasibility of a mid-season move.

According to reports by CaughtOffside and PianetaMilan, the proposed arrangement being discussed by intermediaries would feature an initial loan deal with an option to purchase at the conclusion of the season. Additional exploratory contact has reportedly taken place with Serie A side Juventus as well as Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.

Why is Viktor Gyökeres seeking an exit from Arsenal?

As reported by TEAMtalk, the Swedish international has reached a critical juncture at the Emirates Stadium after being relegated to a peripheral role in Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup. Despite finishing as the club’s primary goalscorer last season with 21 goals across all competitions following his £63.5 million transfer, Gyökeres has struggled for consistent game time in the early months of the current campaign.

As detailed by Goal.com and Yardbarker, the forward has featured in just five matches across all competitions this season, totaling 207 minutes of action. He has logged only one start, which came in the EFL Cup, while remaining an unused substitute in three of Arsenal’s five Premier League fixtures and appearing as a late substitute in two brief cameos of no more than 17 minutes.

How has Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach shifted?

As reported by TEAMtalk, Arsenal under Mikel Arteta are carrying out a technical and tactical adjustment following their Premier League title win. Management spent much of the summer transfer window evaluating forward options whose characteristics align more closely with German international Kai Havertz, who has established himself as the primary focal point of the Arsenal attack.

Under the Basque manager’s current setup, Gyökeres is regarded as the third-choice central attacking option. Despite offseason departures including Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard, the arrival of Greek forward Christos Tzolis and Arteta’s tactical preference for fluid link-up play have restricted Gyökeres to a secondary role.

What are the details of AC Milan’s interest in the striker?

As reported by Yardbarker, AC Milan have surfaced as one of the primary clubs expressing interest in acquiring the forward ahead of the winter window. The Italian club’s management has engaged in preliminary dialogue with the player’s entourage to determine whether a transaction can be executed within their structural budget constraints.

As reported by Suara Garut, AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim is keen on a potential reunion with Gyökeres. The Swedish striker previously scored 97 goals in 102 matches under Amorim during their shared time at Sporting CP prior to his transfer to England. While the player was also offered to Juventus, sources indicate the Turin club’s interest remains cooler in comparison to Milan.

How has the national team responded to Gyökeres’ situation?

Addressing the media regarding the player’s club situation, Sweden national team manager Graham Potter offered support for the striker, emphasizing his established pedigree at the highest level.

As quoted by Suara Garut, Potter stated:

“We know how good Viktor is, we know how important he is. We love him with the team and I think he has the same feeling. Sometimes a change of context, a change of environment can help a player. We’re all looking forward to having Viktor with us and helping him enjoy his football.”

Potter added:

“He’s a Premier League winner. He scored a lot of goals as a number nine for Arsenal. Things happen. Things go up and down, just like life does. Players at this level will always get criticism at some point.”

What is the background of this particular development?

Viktor Gyökeres completed a high-profile £63.5 million transfer to Arsenal two summers ago following a prolific spell at Sporting CP. His debut campaign in North London was statistically successful, as he recorded 21 goals in all competitions to lead the club’s goalscoring charts and assist Arsenal in securing their first Premier League championship in 22 years.

Despite his output during the title-winning campaign, persistent tactical debates emerged regarding his overall integration into Arteta’s style of play, specifically concerning aerial duels and link-up phase involvement. Over the course of the subsequent summer transfer period and the opening month of the season, Arteta opted to reconfigure the club’s front line, placing greater emphasis on versatile forwards. Consequently, Gyökeres’ total minutes have declined sharply, resulting in his representatives actively seeking alternative club options across Europe and the Middle East ahead of the January transfer period.

How can this development affect Arsenal and the target audience?

A potential January departure for Viktor Gyökeres presents notable implications for multiple parties, primarily Arsenal’s supporters, club management, and the squad’s competitive depth.

For Arsenal supporters, the departure of last season’s top scorer represents a swift transition in squad dynamics. Should a mid-season move materialize without a direct replacement, the club’s central attacking depth would rely almost exclusively on Kai Havertz and new arrival Christos Tzolis across four competitions: the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup. Reports indicate Arsenal may only approve a exit if flexible terms permit the signing of a replacement forward, such as Real Madrid’s Endrick or Atletico Madrid’s Julián Álvarez.