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Arsenal are reportedly preparing a substantial financial offer to secure the services of Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyökeres, according to a report from Portugal.
Long-standing discussions have surrounded Arsenal’s need for a prolific centre-forward to propel them to silverware in the seasons ahead, with missed opportunities in crucial moments proving costly in their recent trophy pursuits.
Gyökeres has been consistently linked with the Gunners and has delivered another sensational goalscoring season for Sporting, registering an impressive 52 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. This tally surpasses his remarkable 57 goal contributions from the previous campaign.
The 26-year-old, who has prior experience in English football with Brighton & Hove Albion, Swansea City, and Coventry City, is widely expected to depart Portugal this summer. A Bola reports that Arsenal are “the best placed club” to secure his signature.
The Portuguese outlet claims that Arsenal would likely need to pay less than Gyökeres’ £84.2m ($112.3m) release clause, with a figure in the region of £58.9m ($78.5m) potentially being accepted. The Gunners are also reportedly prepared to offer Gyökeres a “generous” annual salary that could reach £7m ($9.3m).
While Arsenal are yet to submit a formal bid as Sporting prioritize their pursuit of a league and cup double over the next ten days, the Portuguese club has seemingly accepted that Gyökeres’ departure is inevitable.
Arsenal are not the only Premier League club credited with an interest in the towering striker. Frequent reports have linked him with a potential reunion with his former Sporting manager, Ruben Amorim, now at Manchester United, while Chelsea and Liverpool have also been mentioned as possible suitors.
However, Gyökeres is not Arsenal’s sole target for the number nine role. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with another Swedish talent, Alexander Isak. Nevertheless, a potential transfer for the Newcastle United attacker is considered significantly more complex and expensive.