Viktor Gyökeres scored his sixth hat trick of the season on Friday night, continuing a blistering run of form that has apparently positioned him as Arsenal’s primary striker target ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old struck three times in Sporting CP’s 3-1 win over Moreirense, bringing his goal tally for the season to 47 in 46 matches across all competitions.
It was another emphatic display from a forward now regarded as one of the most complete and prolific strikers in European football.
After failing to score last weekend against Santa Clara, ending a run of six straight games with a goal, Gyökeres responded by opening the scoring in the 12th minute, adding a second in the 25th, and completing his treble with a powerful free kick in the 52nd.
This follows earlier hat tricks against Vitória and Farense in the league, a four-goal performance for Sweden against Azerbaijan and Estrela Amadora, and a standout Champions League hat trick against Manchester City.
Speaking after the match, Gyökeres was asked directly about his future amid growing speculation.
“No one can predict what will happen in the future,” he said.
When pressed further about links to Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea, he added, “I can’t say anything about that.”
While the striker remains publicly reserved, sources in Portugal paint a different picture.
According to multiple reports, including from A Bola and Correio da Manhã, Arsenal have emerged as the most serious contender for Gyökeres’s signature, with a formal offer reportedly in preparation just last week.
Sporting are reportedly bracing for a bid from Arsenal before the season ends, and the player is understood to be highly receptive to the move.
“A Bola” describes Gyökeres as “seduced” by the project presented to him by Mikel Arteta, with Arsenal now viewed internally as the leading suitor. The player is said to have placed Arsenal on a shortlist of preferred destinations that also includes Manchester City and Liverpool.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, and Bayern Munich are all monitoring the situation but are not currently regarded as serious contenders.
Sporting signed Gyökeres from Coventry City in 2023 for €20 million plus €4 million in performance-based bonuses. His development in Lisbon has been extraordinary.
After registering 43 goals and 15 assists last season, he has already recorded 47 goals and 11 assists this campaign, consistently producing in domestic and European competitions.
The Lisbon club, however, are not expected to part with their star forward easily. His release clause is set at €100 million, and reports suggest that Arsenal will need to table an offer exceeding €80 million to avoid being drawn into a broader bidding war.
Despite interest in other forwards, most notably Alexander Isak, Gyökeres is seen at Arsenal as a more attainable and strategically sound investment. Isak’s valuation by Newcastle United is believed to exceed £150 million, a figure Arsenal are unwilling/unable to meet.
According to Correio da Manhã, the club has allocated a transfer budget of €234 million for three marquee signings this summer. Alongside Gyökeres, the shortlist includes Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao and Martín Zubimendi of Real Sociedad, who is expected to sign in a deal worth €51m.
The goal is to secure deals early, with Arsenal keen to avoid prolonged negotiations once the market officially opens.