Viktor Gyokeres continues to be heavily linked with a move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his frontline. The 26-year-old striker fired Sporting CP to the top of the Primeira Liga last season, scoring 29 goals in 33 games.
football.london understands that the Gunners were closely monitoring Gyokeres. It’s believed that Arsenal hold an interest in the Sweden international, who ticks numerous boxes for Arteta in his search for a new talisman.
Gyokeres sees his contract at the José Alvalade Stadium expire in June 2028 and Ruben Amorim’s side are expected to demand an eye-watering fee for his signature. So, with that being said, football.london have rounded up everything you need to know about the Swede and his future at Sporting.
Gyokeres to Arsenal ‘very close’
According to Portuguese newspaper Leonino, Arsenal are ‘very close’ to wrapping up a deal for Gyokeres. It’s said that ‘the deal is only tied up in financial details’. Leonino add that Amorim wants to ‘quickly’ complete the signing of Fotis Ioannidis, who appears to have been identified as a replacement for the Swede.
Gyokeres’ agent speaks out
In April, Hasan Cetinkaya provided an update on Gyokeres’ future. Speaking to Portuguese newspaper Record, he said: “I would say that at this stage it’s important to know about Sporting’s future and what will happen with Ruben Amorim because we came here for him.
“We have to know what Sporting’s plans are. But we also have to respect Sporting because we chose them. They need to present us with their ideas but I can say that right now, there are a lot of clubs that want to sign him.
We have not made any decision at the moment, nor are we going to make a decision on this or about staying. We’ll be focussed on what’s left [of the season], there are eight games ahead and after that we’ll make a decision on his future but it also depends a lot on what will happen with Ruben Amorim and his future.”
Cetinkaya added: “Viktor is an unavoidable topic and has been for what he’s been doing at Sporting. Everything he has been doing is not normal in football so that’s why there is a lot of interest.
“There are a lot of people that want to speak to us and clubs that want to discuss the situation. He is a great player and it’s normal for that to be the case.”
Gyokeres urged to join Liverpool or Bayern
Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola in January, Manuel Fernandes urged Gyokeres to join Liverpool or Bayern Munich. The Sporting CP legend said: “Gyokeres is breaking records at Sporting and, honestly, I can say he is better than me.
“Since I left Sporting, I haven’t seen a striker as complete as him. There are equals, but better players? No. He is a complete player, not only scoring but helping to score. This quality is crucial in a striker.
“I hope he doesn’t leave Sporting anytime soon. It would be difficult for any club to activate his release clause in the winter market. If you have to leave, let it be to a big club, like Liverpool or Bayern Munich. But for now, he is doing well at Sporting. He is a serious and focused player.”
Amorim lifts the lid on offers
When quizzed on any potential offers for Gyokeres during the January transfer window, Ruben Amorim said: “I don’t know, I didn’t even ask [Hugo] Viana [Sporting’s director of football].
“Obviously I was informed of the news and as soon as they said €85m I thought, ‘it’s not enough’. In the middle of the season, it will only come out through the clause. As we can’t control that, I feel I’m quite calm because we can’t do anything.
“Obviously we have to see the impact that Viktor has on the team, we would have to change a lot of things, and hence the management’s effort to only let out players that we can’t lose through the clause.
“I just heard the number, I thought it wasn’t enough and I moved on. Nowadays, obviously there are clubs that can pay €100m but we can’t control that. I’m sure there could be proposals in the summer, I don’t know about this one because I haven’t spoken to Viana yet. At this point in January, it seems difficult to me that anyone will reach €100m.”
Gyokeres addresses speculation
Speaking to Portuguese outlet Record ahead of the January transfer window, Viktor Gyokeres addressed speculation over his future. He said: “I think it’s a bit like when Sporting came in to sign me. I’m very happy here and I don’t care about any interested parties at the moment.
“I’m enjoying every day here and not thinking about what’s going on around me. Yes, there’s talk of big clubs, but for now, it’s just news. That is all.”
