Arsenal chief Edu now sent clear transfer message on £85m target ahead of January

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have been linked with several strikers ahead of the January transfer window, but one target could cost them £85m.

Sporting Club De Portugal striker Viktor Gyokeres has been in sensational form since his summer move from Coventry City, scoring 15 times in 18 games across all competitions, whilst also providing seven assists.

The 25-year-old helped Coventry reach the Championship Playoff Final last season, and is now attracting interest from top clubs including Arsenal.

Arsenal have been linked with Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen among other centre forwards, and Gyokeres has recently emerged as a potential target.

Arsenal told how to sign Viktor Gyokeres in January

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has now claimed that any clubs interested in signing his striker will have to activate his release clause, which stands at around £85m.

“I can’t guarantee anything, what I can say is what they tell me and that is that any player only leaves through the clause. It’s the only security that clubs in Portugal have,” he stated.

“Our idea is not to sell anyone in January, because we have a full calendar and we need all the players available. I’m calm about that.”

Should Arsenal move for Gyokeres in January?

Even though Gyokeres has been outstanding in front of goal, both in England and Portugal, his price tag is high enough that Arsenal should look elsewhere.

The Sweden international scored 21 and assisted 10 times in the Championship last season, but £85m for a player not tested in the English top flight is far too big a risk for Arsenal in January.

It seems highly unlikely that Edu Gaspar would pursue such a move, particularly given that Arsenal arguably need both a defender and a midfielder more than a forward, as a result of injuries to Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey.

If a deal can be negotiated for below his release clause in the summer window, then perhaps Gyokeres could present himself as an alternative target to Victor Osimhen, if he continues his remarkable form in front of goal.

Arsenal are not short of numbers in attack, but if the opportunity arises to sign a level-raising goalscorer, then Mikel Arteta could look to take it. Gyokeres would be a risk, and not one that Arsenal need to take in the middle of the season.

Serhou Guirassy could be available for a fraction of the price, and if Arteta is heavily keen on adding an in-form goalscorer in the winter window, he could represent much better value.