Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Arsenal and other top clubs in recent times and our resident Arsenal FC expert and columnist Charles Watts has provided his exclusive insight into the situation.
The talented Sweden international has been superbly prolific since moving to Sporting from Coventry City last summer, and his story could be about to get even more incredible as he seems likely to earn an even bigger move this year.
Arsenal are likely to be one of the names in the mix for Gyokeres, according to Watts as he spoke exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, but he’s not yet sure if the Gunners will make the 25-year-old a top priority.
Arsenal are in the market for a new signing up front, says Watts, but Gyokeres might end up being seen as a bit of a gamble due to his relative lack of experience at the very highest level, while he also has an expensive release clause at Sporting, of around £85million.
Gyokeres transfer might be a gamble but Arsenal will have him on their radar
“We know Arsenal are interested in signing a striker this summer, and one name we’ve seen linked a lot is Viktor Gyokeres, who has been a revelation since joining Sporting Lisbon from Coventry City last summer,” Watts said.
“Gyokeres’ numbers this season certainly suggest he’s good enough for a big move and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t get one this summer, given what he has been doing for Sporting since his move last year. It’s no secret that Arsenal will be in the market to sign a top striker at the end of the season and Gyokeres will certainly be on their list of potential targets.
“Whether he is near the top of that list, however, I just don’t know at this stage. At 25, he’s the right sort of age, but this is his first season in a top league and with a release clause of £85m, it would be a bit of a gamble on a relatively inexperienced forward. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen and he’s certainly a player to keep an eye on when it comes to Arsenal, but I don’t know yet whether they will try and get a deal done.”