Arsenal have watched Sporting Lisbon striker Vikor Gyokeres “multiple times” this season, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing in his Daily Briefing column at the weekend, Romano said that the Gunners are one of a number of teams keeping close tabs on the Swedish international:
“His conditions are that he has a €100m release clause then we will see what happens in the summer – but we know how difficult is to negotiate with Portuguese clubs. Many clubs have also sent their scouts to watch him, Arsenal for sure multiple times – but also others are closely monitoring the situation.”
While Gyokeres has had a fantastic season for Sporting so far (having scored 31 times in all competitions), fans on X are not keen on paying his substantial release clause:
1 season wonder, hope he’s not the next Michu or Pukki
— COYG (@dwommor) March 3, 2024
Ain’t nobody paying 100 million for this dude lmao
— Parrrranoid Android (@TheGoalFather10) March 2, 2024
100m for wat just one season in Portuguese league n u want dat hmmm datz abnormal for sure.
— Ronn Van De Jelz (@OjelelR77695) March 3, 2024
Had 2 seasons scoring goals in the championship and Portuguese league and they want 100 million 💀
— Goonintoon (@Goonintoon) March 2, 2024
100 million for what ??? Even though i like the guy 🙄
— 😈 Drizzy 👑🔌 (@Ogbeni_drizzy) March 2, 2024
100M Is a lot💔
— Idan🇹🇿 (@Idan255) March 3, 2024
Giving me murdryk vibe
— Flozay (@flozay_classics) March 2, 2024
Arsenal have four candidates to strengthen the forward line
It is believed that Gyokeres is just one of four options that the Gunners are looking at. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are the other targets.
Out of those, Osimhen would be the most expensive and Zirkzee would be the cheapest, with Gyokeres’s value closer to Osimhen’s.
Signing players from Portugal comes with its own risks
Gyokeres was playing in the Championship for Coventry last season and, while he had a good record in England’s second tier, it wasn’t anywhere near as impressive as his goal return for Sporting.
You can find some gems in the Portuguese league; Bruno Fernandes and Luis Diaz are two success stories. However, signing players from the country doesn’t come without its risks and spending €100m (£86m) on Gyokeres would be a massive gamble.
