A SWEDE DEAL

ARSENAL on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.

The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (R1.4 billion).

Gyokeres’ transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4m with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal’s close-season spending to the region of £200m.

Gyokeres wysed: “To come here to a club on Arsenal’s level, I think it’s going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I’m really excited to get going.”

He becomes Mikel Arteta’s sixth close-season signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted on Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to either Premier League champions Liverpool or Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Isak has not travelled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury, but Howe said the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key part of his plans.

Howe said: “Of course, there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes. Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will stay private. We do share a good relationship.”

Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 in a pre-season match on Sunday.