Viktor Gyokeres is expected to take on the iconic No. 14 shirt at Arsenal as he closes in on a move from Portuguese champions Sporting, Afrosport reports.
According to reports, the Swede has personally requested the number ahead of his transfer, which is now in its final stages. The Gunners agreed a deal with Sporting worth a total package of €73.5 million earlier in the week, with €63.5m paid up front and a further €10m in add-ons.
The No. 14 shirt holds legendary status at the Emirates, having famously been worn by Arsenal’s all-time top scorer Thierry Henry, who bagged 228 goals in 377 appearances for the club.
Since then, players like Theo Walcott, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and most recently Eddie Nketiah — now with Crystal Palace — have inherited the number, making it one of the most recognisable in North London.
Gyokeres was given the green light by Sporting to undergo a medical at Arsenal and is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days. He is set to become sixth summer signing for Mikel Arteta’s side following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
The 26-year-old has been in sensational form since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2023. He has 97 goals in just 102 appearances for the Lisbon club, including an impressive 54 goals in 52 games across all competitions last season, playing a pivotal role in Sporting’s league and Portuguese Cup double.
The imminent arrival of Gyokeres marks a significant investment from the Gunners, who are looking to add a proven goal scorer to help challenge for major honours next season.
Arsenal are currently in Singapore on their pre-season tour of Asia and defeated AC Milan 1-0 on Wednesday in their first friendly.
They play Newcastle United on Sunday at the Singapore National Stadium before heading to Hong Kong to take on Tottenham on Thursday, 31 July.
