Chelsea enter race for €100m Arsenal target - Fabrizio Romano
Tom Weber
- 12 Dec 2023 04:40 CST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are monitoring Viktor Gyokeres, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Swedish striker is one of Europe's most intriguing players. Always regarded as very talented, it took a while for Gyokeres to properly come to grips with football at the highest level.
The ex-Brighton man got a big move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the summer after an impressive season with Coventry in the Championship and has carried his good form into this campaign. The 25-year-old has notched a spectacular 15 goals and seven assists in 18 games in all competitions this term and this has attracted the attention of Europe's biggest hitters.
Last week, links to Arsenal emerged as the Gunners are in the market for a prolific number nine given the occasional struggles of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah this term. As FootballTransfers explained, a move to the Emirates would be ideal for the mobile striker, whose profile is well-suited to English football.
What did Romano say?
Now, reports have begun also linking him to Chelsea who, like the Gunners, are desperate to add a centre-forward in 2024. According to the Evening Standard, Gyokeres is part of a five-man shortlist that also includes Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and youngsters Roony Bardghji and Antonio Nusa.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has confirmed that the Swede is being scouted by the Blues. “I’m aware," Romano told CaughtOffside, "there have been links with Viktor Gyokeres, who has been excellent for Sporting Lisbon this season."
“As far as I understand, for the moment, it’s just normal scouting activity for one of the most talented strikers around Europe. There’s nothing concrete so far, also because he’s [a] key player for Sporting – but many clubs are tracking him for 2024.”
Gyokeres would command a hefty fee, however, as there is a €100 million release clause in his Sporting contract.
