Arsenal’s Preseason Tour in Asia
Arsenal has kicked off their preseason tour in Asia, setting out for Singapore without striker Viktor Gyökeres, as negotiations with Sporting CP for his transfer are ongoing. The Premier League club’s journey is set to last for two weeks and will include friendly matches against notable teams such as AC Milan and Newcastle United, culminating in a clash against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong.
Transfer Negotiations
Reports indicate that Arsenal intended for Gyökeres to join their squad, as discussions to finalize his transfer appear to be progressing. The Gunners are prepared to pay an upfront fee estimated at around €63 million (approximately $73.26 million), with the potential for an additional €10 million based on performance-related add-ons. However, the specifics of these additional fees and the conditions under which they would be activated are still receiving attention.
Squad Details
Among the 30 players making the journey to Asia, most of Arsenal’s new additions, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martín Zubimendi, and Christian Nørgaard, are included in the squad. However, Noni Madueke, who recently transferred from Chelsea for a reported fee of up to £52 million, did not accompany the group, having participated in Chelsea’s recent achievement in the Club World Cup held in the United States.
Additional Transfers and Player Absences
In addition to Gyökeres and Madueke, Arsenal is in the process of securing a deal with Valencia for Cristhian Mosquera, valued at around £17 million; however, since this transfer has yet to be completed, he was not part of the group traveling. Notably, Arsenal’s young talent, Max Dowman, is included in the traveling group, while Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus remains absent due to recovery from knee surgery he underwent in January, raising concerns about his readiness for the upcoming season.
