Singapore medical planned as striker could make debut in Arsenal v Newcastle United
Newcastle United face Premier League rivals Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday afternoon.
A new striker could be on show when Newcastle United face Arsenal at the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 12:30pm BST).
As Newcastle try to advance on a striker deal of their own by preparing an improved bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, Arsenal are on the verge of completing a major signing.
Viktor Gyokeres close to joining Arsenal
A deal for Viktor Gyokeres is entering the final stages after the Gunners agreed a £65.5million fee with Sporting Lisbon.
The 27-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers since joining Sporting from Coventry City for £20m in 2023, scoring 97 goals in 102 games to help the Portuguese club win back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
Gyokeres first moved to England in 2018, joining Brighton & Hove Albion from IF Brommapojkarna. But he made just eight first-team appearances, with his three-year spell made up of three loans at St Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry.
During his time at Coventry, the Swede scored 43 goals in 116 appearances and was named in the Championship team of the year in 2022-23 as the Sky Blues reached the play-off final, but lost to Luton Town on penalties.
As per The Independent, Arsenal plan to fly Gyokeres to Singapore for a medical, meaning he could make his debut in Sunday’s friendly against Newcastle.
The Magpies fly out to Singapore on Thursday morning ahead of facing Arsenal before travelling to Seoul in South Korea, where they go up against the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur.
Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United latest
Newcastle could also have a debutant with talks ongoing with Brentford to sign Wissa. However, for that to happen, quick progress will need to be made.
The Magpies have seen a £25m bid rejected by the Bees but there is confidence that an agreement can be struck. However, caution is urged with United recently falling short in their pursuit of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who both joined Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike, who is on the verge of moving to Liverpool.
In addition to keeping Alexander Isak, Newcastle have been looking to sign a striker to fill the void left by Callum Wilson, who departed at the end of his contract earlier this month.
Wissa scored 19 goals in the Premier League season and is keen on making the move to St James’ Park, where Champions League football will be returning next season.
The 28-year-old has just 12 months left on his current contract, though there is an option to activate by a further year, and recently rejected an approach to open talks regarding an extension.
Former boss Thomas Frank has shown an interest in reuniting with Wissa at Tottenham, while Nottingham Forest have been long-term admirers after seeing a bid rejected earlier this summer.
But it’s Eddie Howe’s side who are currently pushing hardest as they look to secure their second major signing of the summer after the £55m arrival of Elanga from Forest.