Arsenal have taken a huge step in their bid to sign a new striker ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, according to reports from Portugal - with club chiefs meeting Sporting Lisbon directors earlier this week, as they submitted the first concrete bid to land Viktor Gyokeres this summer in what could be the beginning of the end in the saga for his signature.
Gyokeres has had an incredible campaign for the Portuguese champions, securing the domestic double by virtue of his 39 goals in just 33 league games, as well as a late equaliser in their Portuguese Cup win over rivals Benfica. That was all topped off by six goals in the Champions League, with a hat-trick against Manchester City being the highlight of their European run.
Report: Arsenal 'Table' £55m Bid for Viktor Gyokeres
Andrea Berta is making big moves to land the talisman
viktor gyokeres
It's seen clubs across the continent take a keen interest, with various teams needing a new striker to bolster their attacking ranks in the summer - but Mikel Arteta has been keen for at least a year, with Gyokeres providing the goods for Sporting over the past two seasons.
And the report by Portuguese outlet Record states that Arsenal have now made their first offer to Sporting to sign Gyokeres ahead of the transfer window - with club chiefs from both sides meeting on the Spanish island of Menorca to thrash out a deal.
It's thought that Arsenal tabled an offer of €55million (£46million) rising to €65million (£55.3million) for the Swedish international, a concrete offer at that - and it marks a huge moment in terms of Gyokeres' exit from Lisbon.
Sporting director Andrea Berta was present at the meeting, as well as Sporting's director of football Bernardo Palmeiro, although the amount offered is below that demanded by the Primeira Liga champions for the star, who has been dubbed as the 'best striker in the world'.
Sporting chief Frederico Varandas made it clear to the press that he wouldn't let Gyokeres leave for £60million, with that amount being promised to the striker last year, according to his agent. But as the first concrete offer to the striker, that could spark the chase for his talent into life with clubs across the continent growing interested in what he can offer in a striking sense going forward.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 12-06-25.
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