Arsenal is allegedly planning to pursue a summer deal for Sporting Lisbon attacker Vitkor Gyokeres.
The Sweden international merely left Coventry City before the start of this season to join Portugal.
Despite just playing in the Championship from 2022 to 2023, Gyokeres has seamlessly transitioned into one of Europe’s elite divisions.
With 36 goals and 14 assists in 39 games across all competitions, the 25-year-old is currently considered one of the continent’s top frontmen.
There have been various rumors about a possible asking price, with one recent source claiming that Sporting may be willing to cash in at €50 million (£42.86 million) rather than hang out for a release clause that has doubled in value.
Such a softer position would undoubtedly attract more supporters to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea, who are thought to be watching the situation.
Nonetheless, talkSPORT reports that the Gunners are already planning to concentrate their efforts on preventing Gyokeres from facing competition.
According to the report, Mikel Arteta would rather attempt to lure Gyokeres back to English football than continue his pursuit of Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
Toney scored his first England goal from the penalty spot on Tuesday night, helping the Three Lions to a 2-2 draw against Belgium.
Toney is still in contention for a position in England’s Euro 2024 team, but the 28-year-old has only scored four goals in ten appearances for Brentford since returning from an eight-month ban in January.
Toney is presently playing below par, as he has failed to score in his previous five appearances for the Bees, despite completing the full 90 minutes each time.
Furthermore, despite the fact that Toney’s contract is set to expire in 2025, there have been persistent rumors that he may cost much more than £50 million.
The aforementioned factors may have convinced Arteta to shop elsewhere this summer, but Arsenal must also guarantee that they continue to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability standards.
Gyokeres recently stated that it is “fun” to be associated with other teams, despite the fact that he is content with his life at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
