Atletico Madrid are also linked with Viktor Gyokeres.Atletico Madrid are also linked with Viktor Gyokeres.
Atletico Madrid are also linked with Viktor Gyokeres. | Getty Images
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is not short of suitors this summer, including Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta could be dealt a transfer blow by a familiar rival in the summer transfer window as Atletico Madrid eye a swoop for Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres.
Berta left the La Liga giants in January after 11 years working with the club to replace Edu and head up the transfer strategy at Arsenal. The 53-year-old was prolific during his time at Atletico, signing the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Rodri, Luis Suarez and Jan Oblak for the club.
At the Emirates Stadium, Berta will look to prioritise the signing of a striker this summer. The Gunners struggled without the injured Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus last season and need added firepower if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
Atletico Madrid linked with transfer for Arsenal target
In recent weeks, two European bagsmen have emerged as lead candidates to take on that role in Sporting CP striker Gyokeres and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. Should Gyokeres be the priority, Berta may have to do battle with his former club.
Portuguese football website Record claim that Atletico are keen to make Gyokeres their number one striker. A big summer window is touted for the Spanish outfit, who are looking to back Diego Simeone with a healthy budget following a lucrative Nike sponsorship deal.
Gyokeres is set to cost between £55 and £59 million and is expected to leave Sporting CP this summer. The 26-year-old plundered 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal appearances this season and is set to move to one of the continent’s biggest leagues.
Transfer specialist Sebastien Vidal had gone as far as to suggest that Berta and Gyokeres had agreed a five-year contract ahead of the summer. However, despite reports that the move was effectively signed and sealed, Gyokeres remained coy about his future after a recent win over Benfica. Liverpool and Manchester United, the latter managed by former Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim, have also been linked with the player.
Andrea Berta working on Benjamin Sesko transfer
Speaking after the win over Benfica, Gyokeres said: “Let’s see, it’s hard for me to say. It’s football and you never know what’s going to happen in the summer. For me to say anything else than that is impossible. I don’t know [about rumours with Arsenal]. I just focus on this, try to focus on this last game because it’s been so important that I didn’t want to think about anything else. If anything is true, let’s see in the summer.”
Taking to social media platform X on Friday, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote: “Negotiations between RB Leipzig and Arsenal regarding Benjamin #Sesko have begun! A few days ago, there was already a meeting between the executives Marcel Schäfer and Andrea Berta in London.
“It remains unclear whether #Arsenal are able to afford the full package. Discussions are currently ongoing about a possible payment structure. The release clause is set at over €80 million. Victor #Gyökeres is still high on the list. The current focus is on Sesko.”
In other news, Arsenal now "in talks" to sign "always dangerous" star alongside Benjamin Sesko who has 53 Premier League G/A.
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