SS Lazio v SSC Napoli - Serie A Enilive
Antonio Conte wants to strengthen following Napoli’s title win (Picture: Getty)
Antonio Conte has told Napoli to sign one of the most coveted players in Europe after committing his future to the club.
The former Chelsea manager has been linked with a move away from Naples despite winning the Serie A title with the Italian club this season.
Juventus held talks with Conte about a move to Turin but 55-year-old has snubbed interest from the Italian giants to extend his stay at Napoli.
Having shown loyalty to Napoli, Conte now expects significant support in the transfer market in return, with the summer window opening for 10 days on June 1 ahead of the Club World Cup.
Conte wants a new striker to arrived in Naples despite the presence of prolific forward Romelu Lukaku and has told his bosses to beat Manchester United and Arsenal to a summer deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
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According to the Daily Mirror, Conte is a huge admirer of Gyokeres and is putting pressure on the Napoli hierarchy to sign him from Sporting Lisbon.
Gyokeres has been one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past two seasons, scoring a staggering 97 goals in 104 appearances for the Portuguese champions.
SL Benfica v Sporting CP - Portuguese Cup 2024/2025 - Final
Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United have long been linked with the 26-year-old, who thrived under Ruben Amorim before the manager left Sporting for Old Trafford.
Gyokeres was also believed to be open to joining the Red Devils earlier in the year but may have changed his mind following United’s embarrassing form.
Manchester United finished just 15th in the Premier League and missed out on European football altogether after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Arsenal have also identified Gyokeres as a top target as they look to sign a new striker for Mikel Arteta.
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Ruben Amorim worked with Gyokeres at Sporting Lisbon (Picture: Getty)
The Gunners have reportedly approached Sporting Lisbon with a proposal worth £58m and are ready to make Gyokeres one of the highest-paid players at the Emirates Stadium.
But Arsenal could snub Gyokeres in favour of a move for Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig forward who could cost almost £100m.
Chelsea were also linked with a move for Gyokeres but are no longer in the running after they won the £30m race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
Could Viktor Gyokeres stay at Sporting Lisbon?
Despite the substantial interest in Gyokeres, a family member recently suggested he could in fact snub a summer transfer and stay at Sporting Lisbon for at least one more season.
‘I’m very happy, it’s fantastic,’ his uncle Chris told Portuguese outlet Record during Sporting’s title celebrations. ‘We were here last year, it’s the same spirit.
‘It’s the same people, it’s the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! I’m speechless!’
Asked whether Gyokeres could stay at Sporting Lisbon for another season, he added: ‘Yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.
‘Yes, we think so. We hope so, because look… We love it, it’s incredible, the country, the people and Sporting. And the Lions. We love it!’
Gyokeres played for EFL clubs Coventry City, Swansea City and West Brom before moving to Sporting Lisbon in 2023.
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