Arsenal are now ready to trigger the release clause in Viktor Gyokeres’ contract with Sporting CP, despite the striker favouring a summer move to transfer rivals AC Milan.
The 25-year-old is likely to be one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the off-season after a sensational first campaign in Portugal. Gyokeres switched Coventry City for Sporting last July and has scored 33 goals in 38 fixtures. He also has 13 assists in 3,103 minutes yet.
Gyokeres has further captivated clubs from across the continent by offering five of his goals in nine Europa League ties. The Stockholm native has also taken his international tally to five in 19 caps for Sweden this season. Now, Arsenal are ready to go big for Gyokeres’ transfer.
Arsenal are ready to go big for Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer
According to Milan Live, Arsenal have landed decisively on targeting Gyokeres’ transfer from Sporting to give boss Mikel Arteta a real rival for Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners are even willing to pay the €100m (£85m) release clause in his contract for the Estadio Jose Alvalade club.
Arsenal like that Gyokeres is a thoroughbred No9 who is scoring freely in his first season in a new country. Their willingness to offer a mammoth package will also blow transfer rivals AC Milan out of the water. The Rossoneri know they cannot match the bid Arsenal could spend.
San Siro chiefs have identified Gyokeres as one of their favourite striker targets as they look for Olivier Giroud’s replacement. But AC Milan accept the 6 ft 1 marksman will likely be out of their price range, even if Rossoneri icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic can help to land his compatriot.
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres favours joining AC Milan
Milan Live claiming that Arsenal are preparing a €100m (£85m) bid for Gyokeres also follows reports by Football Transfers that the Sporting star is the Gunners’ top striker target. Scouts for the north London giants believe his versatility to play across the attack will fit their style.
Arsenal’s scouts further feel Gyokeres can fit perfectly with manager Arteta’s tactical vision, which has moved the Sporting star above Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen in their shortlist for the summer sales. Arsenal do not feel the Brentford and SSC Napoli strikers are as versatile.
But while Arsenal want to go big for Gyokeres – who his former Coventry teammate Maxime Biamou called ‘unplayable’ – Dean Jones reports the Sporting striker would prefer a transfer to AC Milan. Arteta may have to hope their bid forces the Leoes to ignore any offer by Milan.
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