There is yet more competition for Viktor Gyokeres’ signature this summer, with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal interested, according to reports.
The 27-year-old has been prolific since moving to Sporting from Coventry City in 2023.
The Sweden international has scored 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese side, after forgettable spells with Brighton and Swansea before making his name with Coventry.
Now his exploits with Sporting have attracted the attention of many of the world’s biggest clubs, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Napoli and Atletico Madrid all linked with a move for him this summer.
The Gunners had been favourites to sign him, but the Red Devils are now fancied by the bookmakers, with his former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim in charge at Old Trafford.
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However, reports in France state that there is yet more competition for his signature, with the Saudi Pro League coming calling.
Foot Mercato report that Al Hilal have Gyokeres on their list of targets in attack this summer, and he has moved up that list since Victor Osimhen turned down a move to Saudi Arabia.
A deal was agreed between Al Hilal and Napoli, but Osimhen has opted against a move to Saudi Arabia, looking to pursue opportunities in Europe.
That is the challenge that Saudi sides face, as they are willing and able to offer players mind-blowing money but cannot offer them a good level of competition.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has already turned downadvances from the Saudi Pro League this summer, despite being able to earn far more money than he does at Old Trafford.
Al Hilal are desperate to make a big-name signing and have a number of targets still on their shopping list.
Liverpool pair Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Tottenham hero Son Heung-min are all wanted by the Saudi side.
They have already made a high profile move in the dugout by appointing Simone Inzaghi as manager shortly after he had taken Inter Milan to the Champions League final.
Saudi interest will be a headache for the clubs trying to tempt Gyokeres to join them as Al Hilal will undoubtedly be offering wages that won’t be matched by other interested parties.
Expert analysis: Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres is a bunch of different strikers blended into one. He’s a bulldozer, but he’s also got that turn of pace and knack of finding himself in shooting areas. Some strikers, you can see they overthink things, but he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
At 6ft 2in, he could definitely add an aerial presence to his game to take himself to the next level, but he’s very good at using his chest as a magnet to win these aerial duels.
He may not be as fearless as others when it comes to aerial duels, but he knows how to use his strengths to his advantage to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
He’s not someone like Roberto Firmino who is going to be dropping deep, so if Arsenal need to change certain things to get the best out of Gyokeres then they should.
Zach Lowy, European football expert