Arsenal could be busy in the summer transfer window regardless of whether they win the Premier League in May.
Arsenal scouts have reportedly been ‘very impressed’ by Viktor Gyokeres and have been frequent visitors to his Sporting Lisbon matches this season. The Gunners are said to be leading the chase for the Swedish striker this summer.
Mikel Arteta is likely to bolster his forward line regardless of whether his side is successful in their Premier League title battle with Manchester City. A new centre-forward is widely believed to be high on the agenda of the club’s recruitment plan.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have struggled for form this season, scoring only a combined nine Premier League goals. Kai Havertz has instead led the line to excellent effect, but playing as a No 9 is not his most natural role.
Arsenal had initially been linked with a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The latter has struggled for consistent form since his return from an eight-month ban in January, scoring only four Premier League goals.
According to Jornal De Noticias, Gyokeres has caught the attention of Arsenal scouts having bagged a staggering 41 goals for Portuguese champions Sporting. Talent-spotters from the Emirates Stadium are reported to have attended nearly all of the player’s games. A £17m move from Championship side Coventry has been a resounding success for the 25-year-old.
The report claims that Gyokeres is ‘almost certain’ to leave Sporting after a year. Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign the former Brighton forward, but there is interest from other Premier League clubs.
Sporting are protected by an £85m release clause in Gyokeres’s contract. There is no suggestion that the Portuguese giants would be willing to accept any less for their
No 9.
Meanwhile, Arsenal may offload a couple of fringe stars to fund another big-spending summer transfer window. Give Me Sport report that Jesus and Thomas Partey are attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Brazilian striker Jesus has struggled with inconsistent form and injuries since his 2022 move from Manchester City. But the four-time Premier League champion says questions over his future should be directed to the Arsenal hierarchy. “They already know if they want to [sign a striker] or not,” Jesus said.
