Bukayo Saka could help Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting this summer. The 26-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for a while now as Mikel Arteta looks to beef up his frontline.
Gyokeres, who sees his contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium expire in June 2028, featured 33 times in Portugal's top-flight this season, scoring 39 goals and providing eight assists. Playing a crucial role in Rui Borges' team, he fired the Lions to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
The Sweden international also helped Sporting clinch the domestic double, netting a stoppage-time equaliser against Benfica in the Taca de Portugal final. After Gyokeres' late strike, Sporting went on to win 3-1 in extra time.
Football.london understands that Arsenal are long admirers of the Swede, with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship. Despite a meteoric rise to superstardom last term, the Gunners, like many other clubs, decided against making a bid.
This season, Gyokeres has continued his excellent form, making him an attractive option in the summer. football.london understands that Andrea Berta is thought to be a 'big fan' of the striker, but, as it stands, the Arsenal sporting director hasn't submitted an official offer.
If the Gunners make a bid and face tough competition for Gyokeres' signature, Arteta may have to ask Saka for a favour. In an interview with UEFA last year, the Swede named two former Manchester United players as his idols.
"The players I looked up to were Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo," said Gyokeres ahead of Sporting's clash against Club Brugge, as quoted by the Mirror.
"It’s about how they performed on the pitch; they went the extra mile, which impressed me. I wanted to do similar things on the pitch."
Unfortunately for Gyokeres, the number seven shirt is currently taken by Saka. But, if Arsenal wanted to take a bargaining chip to negotiations, the Hale End graduate could give up the number and take the vacant number 10 jersey.
In doing so, Gyokeres can follow in Ronaldo's footsteps – at Arsenal, of course – while Saka inherits an iconic shirt, previously worn by Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie. Dennis Bergkamp and Paul Merson have also donned the famous 10 jersey.
Before Arteta starts worrying about dressing room politics, Arsenal need to secure the Swede's signature. Speaking to reporters last month, Borges insisted that Gyokeres is happy at Sporting.
As quoted by the Metro, the Sporting boss said: "He's very happy here. He's very connected to the game, he wants to score and he's obsessed with this. He's very focused on the final, he knows he had a great season."
Borges continued: "He's the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show. He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn't leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here."
On the summer transfer window, the Sporting head coach said: "I'm sure that a large part of the group will stay. That has been the club's policy in recent years, and the achievements show it.
"It's difficult to guarantee because there are clauses and things that we can't control, but I believe that, if not all, a large part of the squad will stay for next season."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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