Gabriel Magalhães has praised Viktor Gyökeres as a “great” player, with the Sporting Lisbon striker now edging closer to a move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have made the Swedish international their top target for the striker role and have made significant strides toward finalising the deal in recent weeks.

Personal terms haven’t been an issue, with Gyökeres keen to join Mikel Arteta’s squad and feature in next season’s Champions League.

However, Arsenal have yet to reach an agreement with Sporting, who remain firm on their demands for add-on payments and are resisting pressure to lower their terms.

While the final details of the deal are still being worked out and could take a few more days or weeks, Gabriel remained tight-lipped about the possibility of linking up with Viktor Gyökeres at Arsenal.

However, it’s evident that the Brazilian defender was impressed by the striker’s performance when they faced off in the Champions League last season.

‘We all know he is a great player, but he is a Sporting player not an Arsenal player,’ Gabriel said.

‘Playing against him last year was a challenge. He is great and had a great season.’

Arsenal have kicked off the summer transfer window with a flurry of activity, securing signings for Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Viktor Gyökeres and defender Cristhian Mosquera are tipped to be the next arrivals, and Gabriel has expressed his satisfaction with the level of talent being brought into the squad.

‘I think the players that came will help us out a lot,’ he said. ‘The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager.

‘They are definitely doing their best to bring the best players that can help us, but we have to focus on what we can do out on the pitch.

‘The players that are here are doing that. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players.

‘Definitely, it excites me. We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players.’

Earlier this summer, Gabriel encouraged Arsenal to make a move for Rodrygo, who has been linked with the club after losing his regular spot at Real Madrid.

When asked during the  Podpah Podcast if he knows whether the Gunners will secure Rodrygo’s signing, the defender responded:‘But I’d like obviously. Rodrygo is a phenomenon, for me. He’s not at Arsenal… If it depended on me, I’ve told people already, he’s a phenomenon.

‘‘His name is mentioned a lot. If it was up to me, of course [I would sign him].’