Arsenal are reportedly keen on watching a star striker playing in the Portuguese League this summer, according to reports from Portugal.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been left frustrated in the transfer market as the Gunners have missed out on some key targets.
Arsenal are prepared to pivot away from a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi due to the Spaniard’s reluctance to move to the Emirates Stadium.
It’s not just midfield targets who they have struggled with as Arsenal missed out on the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who signed a new contract with the German side last month.
Arsenal keen to scout Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres
A new striker will surely be the next name on the list for Arsenal once they complete a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori, after the Gunners agreed a fee with Bologna for the Italian defender.
One striker they are understood to be keen on is Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres with the Swedish star excelling at the Portuguese giants.
HITC had reported last week that Sporting would consider offers lower than the forward’s £85 million release clause, amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
According to a report from Portuguese outlet Correio De Manha, Arsenal want to see the forward in pre-season before making a move for him.
This is not because the Gunners have any doubts over his qualities but more because of the injury problems that he suffeed in Lisbon.
The newspaper reports that the Gunners have been chasing Gyökeres for some time but the need for a ‘surgical intervention’ in his left knee has seen their interest cool down of late.
According to the outlet’s information, though, the surgery was actually only a light procedure at most, and he’s now enjoyed a quick recovery from it, indicating there is no major issue or anything to be concerned about moving forwards.
Last season was a brilliant one for Gyokeres as the Swede netted 29 goals in the Primeira Liga for Sporting and a further five in the Europa League.
Sporting’s stance on selling Gyokeres explained
Whilst Arsenal are certainly interested in the forward, sources have told HITC that there is little desire from those in Lisbon to sell the Swede.
Gyokeres moved to Lisbon from EFL Championship side Coventry City back in the summer of 2023 and was hailed by Blackburn Rovers defender Dom Hyam who claimed that Gyokeres ‘doesn’t have a ceiling’.
Whilst Tony Mowbray once hailed Gyokeres as the ‘Championship’s Erling Haaland’ following a brilliant spell at Coventry, when he spoke to The Northern Echo.
Ruben Amorim, who remained at Sporting this summer despite interest from Liverpool, is keen to hold onto the Swede this summer. The Portuguese manager wants all of his major stars to remain at the club.
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