BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal have officially signed striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP! Welcome to the Emirates Stadium!
Arsenal are likely to make several signings during the summer transfer window.
A marquee striker could be one of the priorities due to the club’s struggles in the final third this season.
The Gunners have netted only 63 goals from 34 Premier League games. They managed 91 goals from 38 matches during the previous campaign.
However, the Gunners are the frontrunners to sign the 26-year-old. They are showing the ‘most interest’.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly a big admirer of the Sweden international.
The Gunners have been unconvincing upfront this campaign. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus netted only 12 league goals before their long-term injuries.
The club definitely need an upgrade on the duo. Gyokeres would be a perfect acquisition amid his exceptional progress over the last two years.
The Swedish star netted 42 goals and provided 15 assists from 50 games for Sporting CP last term.
He has fared much better in the current campaign, with 52 goals and 12 assists from 48 outings.
Victor Gyokeres would be an ideal fit for manager Mikel Arteta. He is a modern striker who is pretty mobile. He can also link-up play and create scoring chances.
The former Coventry City man has a strong physical presence up front and has converted 29 percent of his shots into goals during the ongoing season.
Victor Gyokeres has a release clause worth £85 million in his contract, but he has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Sporting CP for £59m this summer.
The report says Arsenal are ‘planning a huge summer transfer window’ under Berta – who is a ‘big fan’ of Gyokeres – and are ‘showing the most interest’ in the striker.
Indeed, the Champions League semi-finalists have ‘pushed out in front’ in the transfer race ahead of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Sporting remain insistent that the Swedish international will not leave for less than his €100million (£85million) release clause and Arsenal paying that feels unlikely.