Arsenal face Wolves on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last two campaigns, and manager Mikel Arteta will be desperate to see his side go one better this time around.
The Spaniard will likely want to add to his squad this summer, but it appears that those in charge of the club’s recruitment have made a significant decision about one of their top targets.
As per Football Insider, Arsenal are unwilling to meet Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres’ release clause.
The Sweden international enjoyed a fine debut season in Portugal, having joined Sporting from Championship side Coventry City last summer.
He scored 43 goals in 50 matches across all competitions, as well as registering 15 assists.
Gyokeres cost Sporting £21 million when he signed from the Sky Blues last summer, having netted 43 times in 116 games for the Football League side.
Arsenal are hoping to sign a new striker during the current transfer window, but they are set to miss out on top target Benjamin Sesko after the Slovenia international signed a new contract with German side RB Leipzig.
Gyokeres was another target that was being considered, but the report claims that the Gunners aren’t willing to meet his £86 million release clause.
The Swede is currently contracted to Sporting until the end of the 2027/28 season, which puts the Portuguese side under virtually no pressure to sell the player and they are therefore holding out for the full £86 million.
The report claims that Arsenal are now set to hold fire and assess which opportunities arise over the coming weeks, rather than being forced into panic buying a striker this summer.
