Arsenal’s pursuit of a top-class centre-forward could be about to receive a boost by the most unlikely of sources. A direct Premier League rival no less. Not only that, but one of the teams going hell for leather up against Mikel Arteta’s side for the top-flight crown.
HITC reported back in March that Arsenal were stepping up their pursuit of a striker who, after hitting a 34-minute hat-trick in a 6-1 win, took his tally to a staggering 36 goals for the season.
No wonder Viktor Gyokeres is a man in such high demand.
We understand that, while Arsenal are making checks on the former Coventry City talisman, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, AC Milan and even West Ham are lurking in the shadows too, despite the presence of an £86 million release clause in Gyokeres’ Sporting Lisbon contract.
Arsenal join Chelsea in Viktor Gyokeres race
“It’s a huge amount of money. Only the biggest clubs (can trigger that clause),” admits Hasan Cetinkaya, the Sweden international’s agent speaking to A Bola.
“But I have several top clubs interested in Viktor. I can’t, of course, name any clubs. But they’re top clubs. Some in the Premier League.”
And this is where Liverpool come in.
Gyokeres’ future, Cetinkaya adds, may be tied to that of Ruben Amorim. The Primera League-leading manager who, HITC reported earlier this week, is emerging as Liverpool’s number one choice to replace Jurgen Klopp after Xabi Alonso committed his future to Bundesliga champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool have held ‘productive’ talks with Amorim’s representatives, and the 39-year-old is keen on a fresh start after four highly successful years in the Sporting dugout.
“I’m not surprised that Ruben is being linked with Liverpool. It’s normal. His work is of a high standard, it’s what clubs are looking for,” Cetinkaya adds, suggesting that Amorim’s departure could pave the way for his star striker follow the manager out the door.
“And, yes, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay if Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting. Viktor came (to Portugal) precisely because of Ruben.
“Of course, it’s an honour for any player to be able to play in the Champions League. Viktor is no exception. But there are other important (factors) and (the future of) Ruben Amorim is one of them. “If he leaves, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay.”
Liverpool in for Ruben Amorim
As things stand, there is nothing to suggest that Liverpool are in pursuit of Gyokeres. Darwin Nunez, who made his name at Sporting’s city rivals Benfica, is Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice number nine and things are likely to stay that way too, even if the Uruguayan continues to bring more chaos than consistency to the table.
Arsenal, however, could benefit should Amorim leave for Liverpool. After working together to devastating effect at Sporting, it cannot be ruled out that Amorim and Gyokeres will be going up against each other in 2024/25.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are prioritising Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez, seemingly ahead of Gyokeres, at this stage. That could change, however, with Chelsea also keen on Amorim.
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