Fulham boss Marco Silva has revealed that the club attempted to sign Viktor Gyökeres before the Swedish striker moved to Sporting CP — and eventually landed at Arsenal this summer.
Speaking to O Jogo, Silva confirmed that Fulham were one of several mid-table Premier League clubs tracking Gyökeres when he was at Coventry City. However, the presence of Aleksandar Mitrović — who left for Al-Hilal in 2023 — blocked the move.
Why Fulham Couldn’t Sign Gyökeres in 2023
Fulham’s interest in Gyökeres wasn’t casual. Silva admitted he even spoke directly to the Swedish striker’s agent in 2023. At the time, Gyökeres was tearing up the Championship with Coventry and looked primed for a step up.
“I even spoke with Gyökeres’ agent, but we had a world-class striker in Mitrović, who was very difficult to replace.” — Marco Silva, via O Jogo
Despite Fulham’s efforts, Sporting CP secured Gyökeres’ signature. The striker then exploded in Liga Portugal, scoring 97 goals and assisting 28 more across two campaigns — form that earned him a £74m transfer to Arsenal this month.
Silva Backs Gyökeres to Succeed at Arsenal
Silva believes the 27-year-old has all the tools to thrive in Mikel Arteta’s system — especially when exploiting space behind opposition lines.
“He’ll fit very well,” Silva said. “In positional attack, when Arsenal push high, he can still make a big impact. Whether he’ll hit the same heights as in Portugal, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Arsenal’s New Number 9 – Gyökeres Stats Since Leaving Coventry
| Season | Club | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Sporting CP | 41 | 14 |
| 2024/25 | Sporting CP | 56 | 14 |
Analyst Verdict
Fulham’s interest in Gyökeres speaks volumes about their scouting department — but also reflects how timing and squad structure can make or break deals. With Mitrović still at Craven Cottage at the time, Silva made the pragmatic decision not to push further.
For Arsenal, Gyökeres represents a powerful and direct striker that offers something very different from Gabriel Jesus — a profile that may prove crucial in big games.
Key Takeaways
- Fulham held talks with Viktor Gyökeres' agent in 2023
- Marco Silva blocked move due to Mitrović’s role
- Gyökeres scored 97 goals for Sporting CP
- Arsenal signed him in July 2025
- Silva expects him to fit well under Arteta’s tactics
What’s Next for Arsenal and Gyökeres?
Arsenal’s next pre-season clash will offer another glimpse into how Gyökeres fits into their evolving frontline. With Champions League and Premier League expectations high, all eyes are on whether the Swede can bring his Sporting form to English football.
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 29 Jul 2025 11:45
Imagine! But nothing new right, clubs mis on players they want, because of. on the scouting part they where right, back then they had Mitro.
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