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Barcelona’s sporting director Deco will oversee his club’s transfer business this summer (Picture: Getty)
Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed his club’s stance on Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Viktor Gyokeres.
The Sweden international is in high-demand this summer following another prolific season for Sporting Lisbon, during which he scored 57 goals in 49 games for club and country.
Sporting have indicated they are willing to accept an offer in the region of £58million for the 26-year-old for the former Coventry centre forward.
Arsenal were reported to have begun talks with the Portuguese club earlier this week but now appear to have turned their attentions to the younger Benjamins Sesko.
Chelsea, too, were credited with an interest but the Blues have pressed ahead with a £30m deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Manchester United are also an option for Gyokeres who could relish the prospect of linking up again with his former manager Ruben Amorim.
Interest in Gyokeres, however, is far from limited to the Premier League with Juventus now said to be in the mix.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (15319884bm) Viktor Gyokeres, forward of Sporting CP, celebrates with the medal at the end of the 'Taca de Portugal' (Portugal's Cup) match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio Nacional in Oeiras, Portugal, on May 25, 2025. SL Benfica v Sporting CP - Portuguese Cup 2024/2025 - Final, Lisbon, Portugal - 25 May 2025
Chelsea are competing with Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyokeres (NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
Barcelona, however, will not compete for Gyokeres’ signature with Deco happy to rely on the goalscoring prowess of Robert Lewandowski for another season, despite the veteran forward turning 37 in August.
‘Gyokeres is a great striker who did excellent things at Sporting but we’re currently not looking for that position.
‘We have Lewandowski at number nine.’
Barcelona are, however, set to beat Arsenal to the signing of Espanyol’s in-demand goalkeepr Joan Garcia.
The 24-year-old came close to joining the Gunners last season and Mikel Arteta had been keen to sign the Spaniard to provide David Raya with genuine competition.
Newcastle and Aston Villa were monitoring Garcia’s situation but it appears he will remain in Spain, with several reports suggesting that Garcia has agreed terms with Barcelona ahead of a proposed move.
The Catalan giants are expected to trigger Garcia’s €25 million (£21m) release clause in the coming days to complete a day as quick as possible.
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