Arsenal have emerged as the most serious contender for Viktor Gyökeres, with reports in Portugal pointing to an imminent offer and strong player interest.
Arsenal have apparently moved decisively into pole position in the race for Viktor Gyökeres, with multiple reports from Portugal stating that the north London club are preparing a formal offer to Sporting CP that could be submitted before the end of the season.
The Swedish striker, currently enjoying a record-breaking campaign in Lisbon, is reported to favour a move to Mikel Arteta’s side, who are pushing hard to secure his signature.
According to A Bola, Arsenal have already identified Gyökeres as their leading centre-forward target and are ready to move in the coming weeks.
The player, who has scored 44 goals in 44 matches this season for Sporting, is described as “seduced” by the project presented to him by Arsenal and has reportedly placed the club on his shortlist of preferred destinations alongside Manchester City and Liverpool.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as PSG and Bayern Munich, are also understood to be monitoring the situation, but Arsenal are viewed as the most engaged and advanced at this stage.
The 26-year-old was signed by Sporting from Coventry City in 2023 for €20 million plus €4 million in variables. His development in Portugal has been remarkable. In addition to his goal tally this season, he has contributed 11 assists, following up on 43 goals and 14 assists from the previous campaign.
His physicality, work rate and finishing have drawn praise from across Europe, and his profile is considered an ideal fit for the demands of the Premier League.
While Arsenal are also tracking Alexander Isak of Newcastle, Gyökeres is viewed at Emirates Stadium as a more attainable and cost-effective option.
Nonetheless, Correio da Manhã reports that Sporting are unlikely to negotiate below €80 million, with expectations that the fee could climb towards the €100 million release clause if a bidding war ensues.
The same report states that Arsenal have allocated €234 million for three marquee signings in the upcoming summer window, with Gyökeres joined on the shortlist by Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao and Martín Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
The Portuguese media widely report that the Gunners are intent on moving early, hoping to avoid a prolonged auction once the window officially opens.
With Arsenal in need of elite-level depth in the centre-forward role to complement their title ambitions, Gyökeres appears to be the club’s first-choice solution.