Edu warned of ‘tough’ problem in bid to sign 36-goal striker Arsenal are ‘monitoring’

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Sporting Club De Portugal striker Viktor Gyokeres, but a summer transfer will not be easy.

The Swedish forward has been sensational since his move to Lisbon from Coventry City, scoring 36 and assisting 14 times in 39 games across all competitions, as Europe’s deadliest marksman.

Gyokeres has now been linked with Arsenal among other clubs, with Mikel Arteta interested in strengthening his attacking options.

The 25-year-old has a €100m (£86m) release clause in his contract, meaning that whilst he may not be totally unaffordable for Arsenal, he will come with a risky price tag.

Fabrizio Romano has now hinted that Sporting are unlikely to waver on this asking price, making this a difficult deal to do.

Sporting may not lower Viktor Gyokeres price amid Arsenal interest

In his Daily Briefing, Romano indicated that the release clause for Gyokeres may have to be paid in full, making him a tough acquisition for Arteta and Edu Gaspar.

“Viktor Gyokeres is a player Arsenal for monitoring, for sure he’s a player who is on their list. Arsenal have still not decided who will be their main target for the summer, they will first hold internal talks to make that decision, but I’m told that their scouts have been in attendance multiple times to follow Gyokeres,” he explained.

“The Swedish striker is having a fantastic season at Sporting, he’s made an incredible contribution, but his release clause is there and it’s €100m (£86m). We know how tough it is to negotiate with Portuguese clubs – just look at Tottenham with Pedro Porro last January.

“I don’t see Sporting being flexible in negotiations, so it will be a tough one, but for sure Arsenal and other clubs in Europe have an interest, so Gyokeres will be part of the strikers domino this summer.”

Why do Arsenal want Viktor Gyokeres?

Despite his hefty price tag, Gyokeres would be an outstanding option for Arteta to strengthen his front line.

The attacker brings a blend of speed and physicality in a profile that the Arsenal squad otherwise lacks, and his remarkable finishing ability could see him thrive alongside the likes of Martin Odegaard.

Gyokeres joined Sporting after an excellent campaign in the Championship, in which he scored 21 and assisted 10 times in 46 games, and he has shown that he can translate his goalscoring form to a higher level.

With Eddie Nketiah potentially leaving, Gyokeres would represent a huge upgrade on the striker, and would add a lot more firepower to an Arsenal side who are already scoring well.