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Jose Mourinho shares what he honestly feels about Viktor Gyokeres after Arsenal agree £62.4m transfer

Shamanth Jayaram

Wed 23 July 2025 5:30, UK

Arsenal are on the verge of signing Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Mikel Arteta’s side haven’t brought in a striker since Gabriel Jesus in the summer of 2022, and many feel that is the reason why they have failed to win any major silverware.

Now, Arsenal have struck a deal with the Portuguese champions to land the striker, who has scored 97 goals in two seasons with them.

However, there are a few Arsenal fans who are worried about Gyokeres turning out to be another Darwin Nunez in the Premier League.

Those supporters should listen to what one of football’s greatest-ever managers thinks about him.

Jose Mourinho delivers verdict on Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyokeres

Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers of all time.

The Special One has had several incredible strikers at his disposal over the years. From Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o to Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, he has worked with some great names.

Now at the helm of Fenerbahce, Mourinho has just signed Jhon Duran, who many view as one of the best strikers of his age in Europe right now.

If anyone’s opinion on strikers matters, it’s Mourinho’s, and his assessment of Viktor Gyokeres should really excite Arsenal fans.

In an interview with in Portugal that’s set to be aired on Wednesday (July 23, 9:00 pm), as translated by , Mourinho heaped praise on the incoming Gunners striker.

He said: “Gyokeres is a great player, I have no doubt about that.

“Now, Sporting had a way of playing largely around him or adapted to him; I don’t know what Hugo Viana and Ruben Amorim’s initial thinking was.

“But he’s a player with great potential; it’s clear that in England he’ll play against stronger teams, better players.”

Why Viktor Gyokeres and Darwin Nunez comparisons make no sense

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about Gyokeres is that he will become another Nunez if he moves to the Premier League.

The Uruguayan was brought in for big money by Liverpool after a successful season in Portugal, but Nunez’s numbers were far inferior to those of the Swede.

The Reds star, in his final season at Benfica, directly contributed to 38 goals. Gyokeres, on the other hand, had his hand in 67 goals in all competitions last term.

Furthermore, Gyokeres has played in England before with Brighton and Coventry City, while Nunez had no prior experience in any big European league.

Finally, Gyokeres is older, more experienced and far more accomplished than Nunez ever was, which is why these comparisons make no sense, and Arsenal fans should be really happy with the signing.