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Gyokeres says he is "extremely happy" at Arsenal despite Atletico interest

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Gyokeres says he is "extremely happy" at Arsenal despite Atletico interest

Arsenal/X.com

Viktor Gyökeres has responded to speculation over his future at Arsenal by insisting he is settled at the club and not thinking about a departure, despite interest from Atlético Madrid and other clubs that Fabrizio Romano has confirmed is genuine.

The Sweden international scored 21 goals and contributed three assists across 55 competitive appearances in his debut season at Arsenal after joining from Sporting CP for €66m plus €10m in bonuses. He is contracted at the club until the summer of 2030.

"Of course it is flattering that clubs are interested, but I am extremely happy at Arsenal," Gyökeres told Sportbladet.

"After the season we have had, there are only positive feelings."

Atletico Madrid had been reported by Spanish outlet COPE to be interested in a swap deal — offering their own striker Julián Álvarez in exchange for Gyökeres plus a cash element — as part of their efforts to keep Álvarez away from Barcelona. Romano subsequently confirmed that further top clubs had also registered an interest in the 28-year-old.

Arsenal, however, have communicated to all interested parties that Gyökeres is not for sale and remains part of their plans. His own comments reinforce that position.

Gyökeres has scored 21 goals in 36 appearances for Sweden at international level. Arsenal's clear statement of intent — backed by the player's own words — makes a summer exit appear very unlikely.

The situation reflects Arsenal's strength of position this summer. Having won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final, the club are under no financial pressure to sell key players, and Gyökeres — at 28 with a contract running until 2030 — represents a player in his prime years around whom they can continue to build.

His comments to Sportbladet are the clearest signal yet that any pursuit from Atletico Madrid or other clubs will need to overcome not just Arsenal's resistance but the player's own clear preference to stay. That combination makes a summer exit extremely difficult to engineer regardless of the size of any offer.