With 53 goals to his name in all competitions for Sporting CP this season, Viktor Gyokeres is unsurprisingly one of Arsenal’s primary targets in the summer.
Andrea Berta believes Gyokeres would elevate Arsenal and have an instant impact on proceedings and judging by his outstanding track record in Portugal, it is easy to see why he commands such faith.
On the weekend as well, the Swede made more history by lifting the Taca de Portugal trophy after Sporting beat Benfica 3-1, with the star striker’s 101st-minute equaliser taking the game to extra-time in the first place.
But the question amongst Sporting fans would be whether Viktor Gyokeres has played his final game for the club.
Gyokeres is attracted by Arsenal’s project and considers a move to the Emirates Stadium as his priority if he departs Lisbon in the summer.
Photo by Henrique Casinhas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Henrique Casinhas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres’ muted response to Sporting fans asking him to stay
Gyokeres seems set to leave Sporting and with Arsenal looking to sign a bona fide goalscorer, they could be a match made in heaven.
Considering the Gunners will be fired up to finally either the Premier League or the Champions League under Mikel Arteta next season, the 26-year-old could potentially get them over the line if he agrees to a move.
After winning the Taca de Portugal, Sporting fans screamed in numbers asking Gyokeres to stay despite big-hitters like Arsenal and Manchester United chasing his signature.
Arsenal could sign Gyokeres at a discounted price of £54.7 million instead of his £84.1 million release clause and Andrea Berta would have been glad to see that he merely greeted the fans, smiled and walked off.
Often, when players are looking to leave their clubs, such emotional moments with the supporters can prompt them to continue their stay but the former Coventry City number nine seems to be focused on an exit.
What Gyokeres said about Arsenal links
Rui Borges has accepted Gyokeres’ departure as he believes Sporting have a habit of losing key players and adequately replacing them, which their fans may not like to as Arsenal intend to sign him.
However, it seems likely that Gyokeres will join Arsenal.
But speaking to Sport TV Portugal, the Sporting man still kept things private about his future.
Gyokeres answered: “We’ll see. It’s difficult for me to say because it’s football and we never know what’s going to happen in the summer. It’s impossible for me to say anything more than that.”
“I don’t know anything. I was only focused on this and I only tried to focus on the last games because they were very important. The rest weren’t important. If anyone was true, we’ll see in the summer.”