Arsenal are poised to sign one of Europe’s in-form strikers this summer, according to Portuguese publication Correio da Manha (page 45).
The Gunners have had a frustrating Premier League campaign. They are currently 11 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with seven games to play.
The club have struggled in the absence of a marquee goalscoring striker. The hierarchy are expected to find a new solution at the end of the season.
Correio da Manha now claim that Viktor Gyokeres has ‘already given yes’ to the Arsenal project. Gunners’ Sporting director Andrea Berta has convinced him.
Berta chose to pursue his signature ahead of Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. The Swede has been impressed by the ‘desire’ shown by Arsenal.
The Gunners still need to finalise a fee with Sporting CP. Gyokeres has a £85 million release clause in his contract, but he could be signed for £68m to £77m.
The package could be lowered if Arsenal include players in negotiations.
Sporting CP have no plans to sell the 26-year-old until the beginning of July. This would allow them to place the sale in a new financial year.
Gyokeres would be a statement signing for Arsenal
The Sweden international has been in exemplary form since his move to Portugal from Coventry City.
He accumulated 43 goals and 15 assists from just 50 appearances for Sporting CP last season.
Despite his superb statistics, no club seriously tried to sign him last summer, considering Sporting CP wanted the £85m buy-out clause to be paid in one instalment.
Gyokeres has continued his sparkling form this term, scoring 43 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 outings. He is widely expected to leave the Portuguese champions this year.
Arsenal seem in pole position to land his signature amid Berta’s groundwork.
The once Brighton & Hove Albion man would be a perfect acquisition. He is good with the ball at his feet and has also impressed with his link-up and hold-up play leading the line.
Gyokeres can score goals and create chances for his teammates. He is in the peak of his career and would be a statement signing to kick start the summer spending spree at Arsenal.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
