Arsenal face transfer battle as Liverpool scout €100m superstar

Cameron Smith

• 22 Apr 2024 11:00 BST
• 4 min read

Liverpool scouts were reportedly in attendance to watch Sporting CP’s 3-0 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes on Sunday night.

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has been heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer and the Reds are also interested in a number of his current players.

Goncalo Inacio and Morten Hjulmand are known transfer targets, while FootballTransfers understands that Ousmane Diomande is another Sporting star currently on Liverpool’s radar.

READ MORE: Bernardo Silva to Arsenal: Fabrizio Romano reveals the truth behind transfer rumour

However, HITC have reported that Liverpool’s attention during the match at the Estádio José Alvalade was mostly on Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres.

The 25-year-old has excelled since leaving Coventry City last summer and he is Arsenal’s primary striker target for the upcoming summer transfer window, as exclusively reported by FootballTransfers.

Gyokeres has also been watched by both Manchester United and Chelsea this season, while Liverpool were reportedly scouting him during Sporting’s 3-0 victory.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal are Gyokeres' top priority after turning down Chelsea

The Swedish star didn’t disappoint as he netted a brace during the game to take his tally to 38 goals in 45 games this campaign.

Liverpool currently have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo as number nine options, although all three are also capable of playing off the left flank.

Current ETV

Viktor Gyökeres

F (CRL)

Sporting CP

Viktor Gyökeres

F (CRL)

Sporting CP

€21.1M

ETV Range

€15.8M - €26.3M

View full profile

Nunez has been Klopp’s favoured striker so far this season, but the Uruguayan has missed 25 big chances in the Premier League in 2023-24 and he has only scored two goals in his past 10 matches in all competitions.

Gyokeres has a €100 million release clause included in his Sporting CP contract and the early indications are that he will not be allowed to leave unless that fee is paid by any interested party.

Viktor Gyokeres to leave Sporting?

Speaking to A Bola, the Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya recently admitted: “Yes, it will be more difficult for Viktor to stay if Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting. Because Viktor came precisely because of Rúben. The day we met, I said to Rúben: ‘Here’s my boy, he came to Sporting because of you.’

“Of course, it’s an honour for any player to be able to play in the Champions League. Viktor is no exception in that respect, but there are other important things and Rúben Amorim is one of them. If he leaves, it will be more difficult for Viktor to continue.”