According to A Bola via Spoet Witness, Arsenal are the front-runners in the Viktor Gyokeres chase with the striker expected to leave Sporting CP in the summer. The report also adds Manchester City and Liverpool in the mix but insists that new Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is keen on the attacker.
Arsenal are expected to make moves for attacking signings in the summer, with the primary focus on bringing in a striker. There were many names discussed in the past including the expensive Alexander Isak as well as Ollire Watkins, although in the period since sporting director Andrea Berta’s arrival, the focus seems to be on Viktor Gyokeres.
Berta is extremely keen to land the Swede in the summer and for his new club Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta is expected to like the idea of the 26-year-old goal machine. Gyokeres has a €100 million release clause in his contract, although he’s expected to be made available for a lesser price, which has indeed piqued Arsenal’s interest.
The report also states Manchester City and Liverpool could be in the mix for the striker, although no credible reports so far have linked the duo with any move for the Swede. Even if they were keen, Arsenal are very much in the front of the queue at the current moment, with the Gunners poised to open talks to advance.
The Gunners do have genuine competition in place, with Manchester United one of those heavily interested due to the presence of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Chelsea were keen on Gyokeres at one stage and might retain an interest as the summer window approaches.
Berta is the one pushing for this deal to materialise, as the Gunners could prioritise a move for Gyokeres in the coming period. It’s about convincing Sporting CP to sell at a reasonable price as well as the player to make the move to north London.
For now, the race might be a bit more open than the report suggests, although stories over the past many weeks have strongly indicated Arsenal’s desire to get the deal over the line. The 26-year-old goal machine will be a solid enough acquisition for Arteta’s side, who are lacking a prolific No.9 in their squad.
