Arsenal are expected to send scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres play in pre-season friendlies, according to Correio da Manha.
The Portuguese newspaper report that the Gunners “want to see” how the Swedish international is holding up after undergoing minor knee surgery this summer.
Gyokeres could feature in Sporting’s fixtures against Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao over the next week, as the Portuguese champions step up their preparations heading into the new season.
The Correio da Manha suggest that the fact that Arsenal will have observers in the stands indicates that they have “rekindled the desire to sign” the 26-year-old.
Gyokeres’s asking price remains a big stumbling block
Sporting have been adamant that they will not sell their no.9 unless a team is willing to trigger his €100m (£84m) release clause.
Mikel Arteta’s side have not shown any interest in paying that figure up until now, and you’d expect that they would want to negotiate down the price if they were to enter formal negotiations.
An Arsenal striker could leave the Emirates soon
It is believed that Marseille have begun talks about a deal for Eddie Nketiah. The Ligue One side are hoping to loan the 24-year-old initially, but they will include an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
That would not only free up space in the squad for someone like Gyokeres, but it could also give the Gunners more flexibility in terms of transfer funds.
Of course, any money they get for Nketiah wouldn’t cover the amount they would need for Gyokeres but it would certainly help. The departure of Emile Smith Rowe could add to the coffers too. Fulham and Crystal Palace are both interested in signing the midfielder who is valued at around £35m.
