Arsenal step up bid for 32-goal striker as Toney tumbles down shortlist

Arsenal are interested in signing Sporting goalscoring sensation Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports in Spain and Portugal.

Gyokeres, 25, has been in incredible form since swapping Coventry City for the Lisbon giants last summer, on a contract until 2028.

The Portuguese side picked up the Swede for a relative bargain, on an initial €20 million deal, and he has since developed into one of the most complete strikers in Europe.

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Gyokeres has hit 32 goals in 35 games overall for the Lions this season, with 18 of those coming in 22 Liga Portugal matches.

It was revealed last summer that Sporting had inserted a €100 million release clause into the striker’s contract, meaning any potential suitors are going to have to pay big in order to extract him from the club.

Sporting are gunning for the Portuguese league title again under Ruben Amorim and currently sit top of the table by one point with a game in hand over second-place Benfica.

The goals of Gyokeres have been a huge factor in Sporting’s rise to the top and, as such, suitors in England have taken notice.

Chelsea were linked with a move for the former Brighton prospect in winter but he stayed put.

Arsenal seeking to add more firepower

Now Arsenal’s name has come into the frame with the Gunners looking to add firepower this coming summer, according to a report in Todofichajes.

It would appear that a striker is on top of Mikel Arteta’s shopping list with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney also among those mentioned as possible targets. Reports in Portugal go so far as to claim that Gyokeres is quickly replacing Toney as a priority option for the summer, with Arteta and company stepping up their pursuit of the Swede.

Arsenal have scored heavily across their Premier League matches so far in 2024 but lack a consistent goalscoring centre forward.

The likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have flattered to deceive in front of goal and Gyokeres could well be the answer to the Gunners’ problems.

Two players from Barcelona, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, have also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.