Arsenal sent scouts to track the performance of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres against Benfica this week.
The Gunners are likely to sign a marquee striker during the summer transfer window, and they are keeping their options open at the current point of time.
Gyokeres has been mentioned as a potential target and O Jogo (page 8) claim that the club sent an element of their coaching staff to assess his performance.
The 25-year-old scored the second goal in the 2-1 win over Benfica in the first leg of the Taca de Portugal. The Lisbon rivals will meet in the second leg next month.
O Jogo report that Arsenal pondered over a move for Gyokeres in January. They have yet to make any formal approach but continue to monitor him closely.
Sporting could be willing to negotiate on the €100 million release clause in his contract this summer.
Arsenal are said to be impressed by his showing in the big games this term.
Gyokeres could be a summer target for Arsenal
The Swede made the move to the Portuguese top-flight last summer after a successful season with Coventry City in the Championship where they made the play-offs.
Gyokeres bagged 22 goals and 12 assists from 51 games for Coventry, and he has stepped up to the next level with 31 goals and 11 assists in just 34 appearances for Sporting.
He has certainly turned heads across Europe with his displays. Arsenal are one of the clubs monitoring him and could make a summer approach for his services.
Personally, we are not fully convinced over a move for him, considering Darwin Nunez’s output for Liverpool since his big-money move from Portugal in the summer of 2022.
Nunez netted 34 goals in his final season for Benfica, but he has managed only 29 goals from 78 appearances for the Merseyside giants under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Gyokeres looks a better striker with his better ball control and ability to create chances, but the big question remains whether he can adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
