Arsenal are currently the favourites to seal a summer transfer window deal for in-form Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, despite other clubs also showing an interest.
Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Arsenal are making a new striker their priority this summer, with Gyokeres emerging as an increasingly strong target on their list alongside the likes of Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins.
The Gunners are yet to finalise their decision on who will be their main striker target, but it is understood that they have been getting information on the cost of the potential deal, which would likely be able to go through at below his €100million release clause, though still at a significant cost.
It is for this reason that Arsenal are considered better-placed to sign Gyokeres than other suitors like Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, who also like the player but don’t expect to be able to meet Sporting’s demands for him.
The Sweden international has also been on Chelsea’s radar, but the growing feeling now is that the Blues are focusing on other priorities for that position in the form of Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko.
Gyokeres transfer: Arsenal may be in luck as Sporting already searching for replacement
CaughtOffside understands that Sporting seem to accept that Gyokeres is likely to leave this summer, and that they’re already keeping an eye out on potential replacements for the 25-year-old.
Despite playing in the Championship with Coventry City last season, Gyokeres has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent times and it seems clear he is up there with the very finest forwards in Europe now.
The former Brighton man has 36 goals in 39 games so far this season after his hat-trick at the weekend, and he could be an ideal upgrade for the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah up front.
Alongside Gyokeres, Arsenal are also understood to still be keen on strengthening their midfield this summer, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi their favoured option for that position.