Arsenal FINALLY receive the Gyokeres news fans have been craving

Tom Weber

Updated: 8 Apr 2024 18:16 BST
4 min read

Arsenal look to have a free run at signing Viktor Gyokeres after a fresh update on Chelsea's interest in the striker.

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The Sporting CP sharpshooter has been in utterly absurd form in his first season in Portugal. To date, the Swede has scored 36 goals and recorded 15 assists in 42 games across all competitions.

This stunning production has seen the 25-year-old become one of Europe's most in-demand strikers, but his €100 million release clause means that only a select handful of clubs would be able to snap him up, with reports even claiming that Sporting could open talks with him over a new deal to increase that fee.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed in March that the former Brighton and Coventry man has been made Arsenal's number-one summer target. However, the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and PSG have also been said to be keeping tabs on him.

The good news for Arsenal is that Man Utd appear to be focusing on Ivan Toney, while PSG want Victor Osimhen to replace Kylian Mbappe. Chelsea, too, view Osimhen as their priority target and it seems unlikely that they will make a move for Gyokeres.

Chelsea cool Gyokeres interest

At least that's according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who reports that the Blues will not pursue the Swede in the summer transfer window, as things stand. Writing for SPTC, Jacobs revealed that Chelsea have no intention of triggering Gyokeres' release clause.

“Viktor Gyokeres is not a player Chelsea bid for in January, despite reports in Portugal, and it’s understood he’s dropped out of consideration as it stands. Perhaps one reason why is because Sporting want €100m.”

This seemingly leaves Arsenal as Gyokeres' most credible suitors and it is thought that the Gunners won't have an issue paying the striker's release clause, especially if they manage to offload some homegrown talent, with three academy products earmarked as players who could earn 'pure profit' this summer.