£86m Arsenal target now ‘one of the deadliest strikers’, only Kylian Mbappe is better

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Arsenal have been linked with several strikers ahead of the summer transfer window, and one of their targets has progressed well this season.

The strongest links are to Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Ivan Toney of Brentford, but given their respective price tags, better value may be found elsewhere.

In a scarce market for strikers who could come in and score at an elite level, one player is providing more output than most players in Europe.

Arsenal were linked with Sporting Club De Portugal striker Viktor Gyokeres in the January transfer window, but they would not accept any fee below his £86m release clause. However, he could still be an option for the summer window.

Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres is one of the best in Europe

Gyokeres only joined Sporting in the summer from Championship side Coventry City, but has taken his already excellent record in front of goal to a new level.

The 25-year-old is a complete forward, adding goal threat, physicality and creativity. He has scored 26 goals in 28 games across all competitions this season, whilst also adding 10 assists.

This total of 36 goal and assist contributions, is, as per Squawka, only second to Kylian Mbappe out of every player in Europe, who has notched up 37.

What makes Gyokeres so special?

Although questions may be raised about the league he is currently thriving in, as someone untested in Europe’s top five leagues, he is perhaps the best forward in Europe outside of the main leagues.

X account Statman Dave has described him as “one of the deadliest strikers in Europe,” and his underlying statistics are off the charts.

Gyokeres ranks in the top 2% of strikers in 14 comparable European leagues for shot-creating actions, progressive carries, successful take-ons and key passes, as well as goals and assists.

If his price tag is lowered, or if Arsenal are unable to land their other targets, Gyokeres could be an option to provide an outlet upfront given his ability to carry the ball, and score at a clinical rate alongside creators such as Martin Odegaard.

His current price tag resembles a risk, but there is no one else in any European league bar Mbappe, who has scored and assisted at his rate. Arsenal need a clinical attacker in the squad to finish off the chances they create, and if he can adapt to the Premier League, he could be an option who could develop into a lethal forward.