Chelsea have 'made an enquiry' for Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres, it has been claimed. The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after attackers in Europe after scoring 54 times in 52 matches this season.
As previously reported by football.london, Arsenal have made Gyokeres a top target as Mikel Arteta tries to strengthen his front line. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has identified the Swede after attempting to sign him at Atletico Madrid last summer.
But now, it appears that Arsenal are facing serious competition from Chelsea for Gyokeres, with the Blues lodging a proposal to sign the former Coventry City man after winning the Conference League, as per Portuguese outlet Record.
Enzo Maresca is keen to add more firepower to his team in preparation for their return to the Champions League. The Blues are set to return to Europe's top table next season after a three-year absence.
That is expected to give Chelsea an inflated transfer budget and more funds to spend on the squad, with Gyokeres named as someone that can take the Blues to the next level. Although he has an £85million release clause in his contract, there is an expectation that he can leave Sporting for a much lower fee.
If Chelsea can get a deal over the line for Gyokeres, it would represent a 'dream' piece of transfer business. The Blues have struggled, at times, for strength at the top end of the pitch this season and Gyokeres would no doubt add physicality, power and the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Chelsea
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)
Gyokeres would lead the line and become Chelsea's first-choice striker, with Nicolas Jackson competing for that spot and Christopher Nkunku sold. Marc Guiu would continue as back-up in that position, though a loan move could be the perfect option for the 19-year-old ex-Barcelona man to aid his development.
Behind Gyokeres would be Cole Palmer. The 23-year-old hasn't produced the numbers he would have been hoping during the second half of the season, but his performance in the Conference League final on Wednesday was stellar. He grabbed two assists as the Blues ran out 4-1 winners against Real Betis.
Either side of Palmer, who would start as the No.10 and free roamer, would be Pedro Neto and another new arrival. Although there is a case to keep Jadon Sancho, he hasn't performed consistent enough and the risk is there to sign his Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho, who has a higher ceiling.
It's clear that Garnacho is going to be allowed to leave United this summer after Ruben Amorim revealed following last Wednesday's Europa League final that the Argentine can find a new club. Reports suggest that a fee in the region of £60m is going to be enough to prize him away from Old Trafford.
Still aged just 20, Garnacho has almost 150 first-team appearances under his belt and he has the experience and talent to become a world superstar. It's the type of signing that Chelsea are synonymous to making since Todd Boehly arrived three years ago, and the Blues should get a deal done.
He would add more pace, dynamism and width to Chelsea's attack - something that has been lacking at times this season. And with Mykhaylo Mudryk still out, Garnacho would slot straight into the left-wing berth, with Neto moving over to the right and Noni Madueke acting as back-up.
Chelsea 'dream' forward line: Garnacho, Palmer, Neto; Gyokeres.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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