Viktor Gyokeres gives cryptic response to Arsenal transfer question after ‘final’ Sporting appearance

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Arsenal are expected to compete with other clubs for the signing of prolific Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

The Gunners’ priority in the transfer window is to add a number nine to Mikel Arteta’s ranks, with Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak the three most heavily linked with a switch to N5.

Reports emerged on Friday suggesting that Arsenal have decided that Sesko is their man, although a deal for the Slovenian appears complicated, and RB Leipzig are expected to demand an excessive fee for him.

Thus, Gyokeres remains in the picture as a genuine candidate, and now that his season with Sporting has reached its conclusion, he can focus on his next move.

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Viktor Gyokeres responds to Arsenal transfer links

Gyokeres instructed his agents to inform potential suitors to wait until the end of his season before initiating contact with Sporting regarding a prospective transfer.

The Portuguese club’s campaign has now ended, with Rui Borges’ side securing the domestic double with victory over Benfica in the final of the Taca de Portugal on Sunday.

Gyokeres netted a penalty in the victory, taking his goal tally for the season to 54 in all competitions.

Fabrizio Romano suggested that the clash with Benfica was the 26-year-old’s final game in a Sporting shirt, and the player himself has now had his say on his future in Lisbon.

In an interview on Sport TV, via Mais Futebol, Gyokeres was asked about links to Arsenal, as well as whether he could promise that he’d remain at the Jose Alvalade Stadium next season.

“Let’s see,” he said.

“It’s difficult for me to say, because it’s football. You never know what’s going to happen in the summer. So for me, saying anything more than that is impossible.

“No, I don’t know [on Arsenal links]. I just focus on this. I try to focus on these last games because they are very important.

“I don’t want to think about anything else. So yes, if anything is true, we will see in the summer, like I said.”

Keeping his cards close to his chest, Gyokeres’ coy response certainly won’t have been reassuring to anxious Sporting supporters hoping that he’ll miraculously opt to remain in the Primeira Liga.

Viktor Gyokeres would fix Arsenal’s goal-scoring issues

Romano revealed last week that Arsenal could sign Gyokeres for less than £55 million this summer.

At this relatively modest price tag, Gyokeres would represent a steal for the Gunners, considering his goal-scoring pedigree in Europe.

Netting a staggering 97 goals for Sporting over just two seasons, the Sweden international knows how to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.

While there are question marks about how this form will translate to the Premier League, even with significantly reduced numbers, he should produce a return that provides value for money at £55 million.

The underlying numbers also suggest that this goal-scoring is no mirage, and that he should be able to sustain this productivity because his movement inside the box is so good.

If it’s a choice between him and Sesko, Arsenal should certainly be leaning towards Gyokeres.