Arsenal Ready Summer Move for Sporting Striker Amid Premier League Interest | OneFootball

Arsenal Line Up Summer Swoop for Gyokeres as Sporting Exit Looms

Viktor Gyokeres is leaving Sporting CP this summer. That’s the certainty. What remains uncertain is where he’ll land—and Arsenal are currently front of the queue. According to A Bola, “Arsenal are preparing to launch an attack. It has already been reported that the Gunners have €234m to spend on three players this summer and the Lions star is on the list.”

Chelsea are lurking, and history shows they’re more than capable of hijacking a deal. But at the moment, it is Arsenal who are positioned most strongly to bring in one of Europe’s most prolific centre-forwards.

Prolific Numbers Turn Heads

Gyokeres’ form this season has been extraordinary. In all competitions, the Swedish forward has scored 44 goals in 45 matches. “31 in the league, 6 in the UEFA Champions League, 3 in the Portuguese Cup and 4 in the League Cup,” according to A Bola. That level of consistency, even in a league outside Europe’s top five, makes him a target for elite clubs looking for reliable firepower.

Photo: IMAGO

The striker’s relentless output has been key in Sporting’s domestic dominance, and he’s now viewed as one of the best forwards in the world. While Alexander Isak and Nico Williams remain on Arsenal’s radar, “Gyokeres is seen as a cheaper option who is also guaranteed to score (a lot of) goals.”

Deal Will Still Come at a Cost

The term “cheaper” is relative in this context. Gyokeres will cost upwards of €70 million, due to an agreement made with Sporting during his 2023 move from Coventry. Though his buyout clause sits at €100 million, the pact with the player allows Sporting some room to negotiate, recognising the effort Gyokeres made to join the Lisbon club in the first place.

His contract runs until 2028, meaning Sporting are under no pressure to sell quickly. Yet there’s an understanding that now is the time to cash in on a player who wants to test himself at a higher level. Arsenal, like Liverpool and Manchester City, are among Gyokeres’ preferred destinations in England.

Chelsea Waiting in the Wings

This won’t be an uncontested move. Chelsea are known for moving swiftly—and quietly—when required. “Chelsea are paying close attention to all this,” reported A Bola, pointing to the recent example of how they “in a sneaky way… stole Quenda from Manchester United for 52 million euros.”

While Chelsea may not be Gyokeres’ first choice, they are still a viable alternative, especially if Arsenal hesitate or turn to other targets. Stamford Bridge’s track record of opportunistic swoops means Arsenal will need to be decisive if they want to secure their man.

Photo: IMAGO

Sporting’s Contingency Plans

Back in Lisbon, Sporting are preparing for life without Gyokeres. Their attention may now shift to retaining Hjulmand, the club’s captain and midfield anchor. Manager Rui Borges commented: “He is a player we believe in. Now, in relation to Hjulmand’s quality, he can play in any championship, due to his individual quality, his leadership skills, his character and personality.”

Like Gyokeres, Hjulmand is contracted until 2028, with a release clause of €80 million. But focus remains on finalising a deal for their star striker before addressing the midfield dominoes.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

If Arsenal is serious about going toe-to-toe with Manchester City next season, they need a striker who guarantees goals. Viktor Gyokeres fits the bill. His output at Sporting has been ridiculous—44 goals in 45 games is elite, no matter what league you’re in. He’s strong, mobile, intelligent in the box and thrives off service—exactly the profile to unlock the next level of this Arsenal attack.

Some fans will argue they should go all-in for Isak or even Osimhen, but €70m for someone as consistent and physically dominant as Gyokeres feels like smart business in today’s market. They’ve missed a clinical edge in tight games, and that’s what he offers.

However, Chelsea have shown they’re happy to jump in last minute and throw money around. If Arsenal genuinely believe he’s a key target, they need to move now and avoid another Mudryk situation.

Add Zubimendi and Nico Williams to the mix and suddenly that €234m starts to look like a proper investment in winning now, not just building for the future.