Barcelona are reportedly set to explore a potential deal for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres who could make way for Victor Osimhen.

The Swedish striker only joined the Gunners last summer, arriving from Sporting CP for £54.8 million. Signed to lead the line as a prolific number nine, he encountered a topsy-turvy debut season at the Emirates.

A new attacker remains a priority for Mikel Arteta after top target Vinicius Junior snubbed the Premier League champions and penned a new long-term deal with Real Madrid. The focus seems to have shifted from a winger, as GIVEMESPORT sources understand that conversations have been held with Galatasaray for Osimhen.

Barcelona To Come Calling For Arsenal’s Gyokeres

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

According to Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez of El Chiringuito TV, Barca are expected to make a move to explore Gyokeres’ situation. The Catalans view the Swede as a replacement for Ferran Torres, who joined Paris Saint-Germain last week.

There hasn’t been much talk of Gyokeres leaving Arsenal this summer, given he’s only spent one year in North London. He started the 2025-26 campaign unconvincingly but grew as the season progressed, much to the delight of Arteta.

The Gunners boss called him ‘phenomenal’ after he scored a brace in a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League’s league phase. He later hailed the 28-year-old for working hard and being rewarded with a superb run of form in April:

Gyokeres didn’t start Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. Arteta preferred Kai Havertz to lead the line and that might indicate that the former Coventry City frontman won’t be the starting number nine this season.

For Barca, it could hint that the North Londoners are prepared to do business for the Swede for the right price. Interest in Osimhen is also worth noting, and it makes sense for the English champions to sell Gyokeres and turn to the Nigerian.

Selling Gyokeres Would Surely Mean Osimhen Arrives

Osimhen would undoubtedly be an upgrade on Gyokeres and he might be the missing piece for Arsenal and their mission to win a first-ever Champions League trophy. They came agonisingly close last season, losing on penalties to PSG in the final.

That was another game that served as evidence that Arteta doesn’t truly trust the Swedish star, as he started on the bench. Swooping for Osimhen, you’re landing a guaranteed starting number nine who has been a massive success throughout his club career.

A Gyokeres sale could raise a decent fee that can be put towards a move for the Galatasaray striker. A deal is going to be expensive due to salary demands along with a transfer fee, as he joined the Turkish Super Lig club from Napoli for £63m in July 2025.

UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland unleashed a brutal x-rated rant after being left fuming by what he saw during this past weekend’s UFC 330 event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The card at the city’s Xfinity Mobile Arena was headlined by Islam Makhachev’s unanimous decision victory over Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry. Strickland, like millions of fans around the world, tuned in to catch one of the biggest fights of the summer.

However, it was the actions of veteran coach Din Thomas on the UFC 330 post-show that sent the 35-year-old American into a rage.

Thomas has been known to perform analyst duties for the UFC on big shows, but was primarily working as a cornerman on Saturday night, overseeing Gillian Robertson’s world title bid against defending UFC Strawweight Champion, Mackenzie Dern, in the co-main event.

A decorated fighter in his prime, Thomas holds victories over popular UFC legends such as Matt Serra, Jens Pulver and Clay Guida.

However, he was unable to help steer Robertson to a victory. Dern held off a late surge from the Canadian to win via unanimous decision, in what was the inaugural defense of her title.

It was ultimately a disappointing night for Robertson, who had been on a five-fight winning-streak prior to taking on Dern. The challenger was beaten comprehensively in the first three rounds of the fight, just about surviving an opening round deep rear-naked choke. She made a late bid to turn the tide in the fifth and final round, but it was never going to be enough to take the win.

Speaking on the post-show, Thomas couldn’t hide his disappointment at the result and shocked his colleagues at the broadcast desk by making a surprise announcement about his future as a cornerman.

“I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she could go,” Thomas stated on the live UFC 330 broadcast. I think that might be as far as she can go, and I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight,” the 49-year-old added.

While Thomas was undoubtedly emotional about the result, as it appeared he was putting down his fighter when she was at her lowest moment following a tough defeat in the biggest fight of her career.

Sean Strickland’s X-Rated Tweet After Watching UFC 330

Among those to have a major issue with Thomas’ handling of the situation was Strickland, who took to social media to call out the comments, pointing out that he had suffered setbacks in his career before going on to achieve greatness in the Octagon.

“Din Thomas is a f****** c***. I’ve had my ass kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles. You’re a d*******. It’s probably better you retire. You’re a s*** coach,” Strickland declared.

“You only lose when you quit… Din sounds like you’re a f****** loser!”

In the wake of Strickland’s tweet, Thomas has apologized for his comments, admitting he was “ashamed and embarrassed” by them.

Speaking about the controversy on the Deep Waters podcast, Thomas issued a full apology to Robertson, during which he stated:

“I selfishly stole her moment that night, and instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that because I stole her moment, and I was completely wrong.

“I’ve always had your back, and I want you to know that I’m always here for you,” he told Robertson. “I’m always going to support you, and whatever you need, I’m always here for you, the same way I’ve been for you the last seven years when it was just us.”

As of now, though, Thomas has yet to indicate that he will return to coaching.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is supposedly pushing the La Liga giants to swoop for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, in what would be a head-turning move at the end of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old only arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a £55million move from Real Sociedad last season. Zubimendi’s first season in North London was an undoubted success, playing more than 4,000 minutes across 57 appearances as he helped the side to the Premier League title.

The Spaniard is known for doing the not-so-glamorous work in the centre of the park, but still chipped in with a solid six goals and three assists from defensive midfield. However, that does not necessarily mean that Arsenal should block all transfer offers.

Real Madrid interested in Arsenal midfielder

Via Reuters

In a report, TEAMtalk claims that Real Madrid have already held discussions with Arsenal and that the player’s representatives are weighing up opportunities away from London. It’s added that the Gunners are open to selling Zubimendi, despite the midfielder having another four years left on his contract.

Real Madrid are said to be long-term admirers of Zubimendi, who was thoroughly impressive in La Liga with Real Sociedad. The player has made 180 appearances in the Spanish top flight.

The Galacticos are set to miss out on the signing of Manchester City man Rodri, who will sign for fierce rivals Barcelona, and are looking for an extra body in the centre of the park to allow Eduardo Camavinga to leave.

Martin Zubimendi offers Arsenal unique profile

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Ultimately, Arsenal must not fight to sell Zubimendi. The Spaniard was a key cog in the title-winning machine last season and brings a calmness to proceedings. The player is only going to improve over the upcoming campaign, having now adjusted to the football and life in England.

It’s easy to understand where the transfer speculation comes from. Myles Lewis-Skelly had been preferred in midfield towards the end of last season and the marquee arrival of Bruno Guimaraes provides serious competition for Zubimendi.

Zubimendi was only handed a cameo off the bench against Manchester City in the Community Shield and will face a tougher fight to get into the side over the upcoming season.

Martin Zubimendi 2025/26 statistics

However, the player offers Arteta and Arsenal a different profile to that of Guimaraes, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard. Zubimendi is a more conservative and cautious option – the only similar profile at the club was Christian Norgaard, who has left for Everton this summer.

That is not to say that Arsenal must hang up on any calls that come in for Zubimendi, should Mourinho be truly interested in bringing the player back to Spain. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim that the Gunners have slapped a £77million price tag on the star.

That’s a loftier fee than the £65million sum Manchester City have pocketed for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Should Real Madrid come with an offer around that ballpark, given the number of options in midfield, Arsenal must consider a sale, but are in a position to call the shots.