Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Arsenal are likely to sell Viktor Djerkes in 2027. The pundit suggests that the London club would have moved on from the Swedish forward already if they had succeeded in signing Julian Alvarez.
Djerkes joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2025 for £64 million. He played an instrumental role in helping Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years, finishing as the club's top scorer in his debut season with 21 goals across all competitions.
Despite his scoring prowess, questions surrounding his technical skills and overall performance have arisen, leading to Kai Havertz being preferred during Djerkes' quieter spells.
In a recent match against Everton, which Arsenal won 2-0 thanks to goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel, the 28-year-old Swede made his first start of the season. This victory allowed Mikel Arteta's side to level on points with league leaders Manchester City, trailing only on goal difference.
However, Djerkes' performance once again came under fire. Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor expressed doubts about the forward's long-term prospects at the Emirates, criticizing his movement:
Goodness gracious, it looks like he’s running in slow motion, doesn’t it? It seems he can hardly run at all. Can he hold up the ball? Yes, he can, but he’s one of those players who won’t be at the club next season. 100%. They would have moved him on this transfer window if they could have got Alvarez. If Alvarez had been open to a move and had not rejected Arsenal, they would have said, “I’d give you Djerkes and pay the difference.”
It was reported that Arsenal were interested in signing Alvarez during the summer, but the Atletico forward remained in Spain following a failed deal with Barcelona, missing the chance to return to the Premier League.
Agbonlahor is convinced that the unsuccessful attempt to secure Alvarez has hindered Arsenal from reshaping their attack sooner.
Now, Djerkes' future depends heavily on his ability to elevate his game and solidify his position as Arteta's main striker. Arsenal are expected to continue exploring options to bolster their attacking line, while Djerkes seeks regular playing time in the peak of his career.
