Arsenal have made further checks on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in recent weeks but could face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC Football understands that the former Coventry City talisman – closing in on 40 goals during a remarkable debut season at Sporting Lisbon – is emerging as a target for some of hte biggest clubs in Europe.
AC Milan are confident of luring Viktor Gyokeres to the San Siro as rumours abound suggesting Olivier Giroud could be on his way to the MLS. There is also interest from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
But after hitting a 34-minute hat-trick during Sporting Lisbon’s 6-1 hammering of Boavista on Sunday – a result which put Ruben Amorim’s side in pole position for their second Primeira Liga title in three years – we can confirm that Arsenal are stepping up their interest in the powerhouse Swede.
Arsenal step up Viktor Gyokeres interest
Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a new centre-forward regularly in recent months. But with Juventus looking to tie down Dusan Vlahovic and with Brentford’s Ivan Toney’s form hit-and-miss since returning from a lengthy ban, Gyokeres is emerging as a player The Gunners could be tempted to make a serious move for.
The one-time Brighton and Hove Albion youngster – who had a loan spell at Swansea City before making his name with Coventry – has a stunning 36 goals in 39 games for Sporting. Amorim, however, has indicated that any club keen to take him away from Lisbon will have to trigger his £86 million release clause.
That would make Gyokeres the second-most expensive signing in Arsenal’s history, after Declan Rice. There is also interest from a Chelsea outfit who are looking at Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez.
Tottenham and West Ham are keen. But it remains to be seen if they could stump up the sort of fee that would tempt Sporting.
Manchester United, meanwhile, may prefer to spend their money elsewhere after bringing in Rasmus Hojlund for big-money last year.
Likened to Erling Haaland
Gyokeres, due to his fearsome combination of power, pace and panache, is one of the most complete centre-forwards in European football. Tony Mowbray, who came up against the former Coventry talisman in the Championship with Sunderland, sees similarities with fellow Scandinavian Erling Haaland.
“Who is like him in the Premier League at the moment?,” Mowbray told the Northern Echo.
“Who is too fast, too strong and too big? You would suggest Haaland is like that. And Gyokeres, in this league, looks a yard faster and stronger than the players he plays against in the Championship.
“The way he buys himself space to shoot is pretty impressive. Coventry did well to hold onto him, he looks a really talented boy.”
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