Arsenal have reportedly made Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres their No.1 summer transfer target.
Though the attention right now is on the Gunners chasing the Premier League title, plans are being set in place behind the scenes for the summer transfer window. Arsenal have been intermittently linked with a number of strikers over the course of the season amid Mikel Arteta’s perceived interest in bolstering his attacking options to maintain the club’s competitive edge in the Premier League and Europe.
According to Spanish outlet Todofichajes, Arsenal are keen on securing the signature of Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres, 25, has been sensational for Sporting CP since arriving from Coventry City last summer. The Sweden international has bagged 18 goals and seven assists in 22 league appearances, helping Sporting to the top of the league table. In addition, he has five goals and an assist in seven European outings.
As Gyokeres has a contract until 2028, the Portuguese giants are in no hurry to sell the striker. However, Arsenal intends to enter the race for the player and make a tantalising offer to persuade Sporting into selling their prized asset in the summer, the report adds.
Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal—Can he take the team to another level?
It is no secret that Arsenal want to bring in a top-quality striker when the transfer window reopens. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have been unreliable in terms of supplying goals at a consistent rate, while Kai Havertz is more suited to playing in central midfield.
Jesus, in particular, has struggled with injury problems this season and scored just four goals in the Premier League thus far. Thus, the Gunners must bring in an upgrade on the Brazilian if they want to compete at the highest level. Viktor Gyokeres, in that regard, would be an ideal signing.
Gyokeres has scored 31 goals in all competitions on his debut season with Sporting, making him the hottest property in the transfer market. The Swede’s goalscoring exploits in Portugal have caught the attention of several elite clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, and given his rise in stature since last summer, Sporting will find it difficult to keep him for long.
The 25-year-old will add goals and creativity to the Arsenal side, whilst improving their squad depth. In terms of productivity, Gyokeres would be an upgrade on both Jesus and Nketiah. He has demonstrated his ruthlessness in front of goal in Sporting colours and could thrive in Arteta’s system at Arsenal.
The Gunners have come a long way under Arteta and are currently fighting for the Premier League title. The opportunity to play for them could be quite attractive for Gyokeres, and Arsenal could offer the striker a platform to showcase his talent regularly.
However, given the red-hot Swedish marksman a whopping £86 million release clause in his Sporting deal, Arsenal may need to offload players before paying that amount and signing him.
