Arsenal have submitted a €75 million (£63.4m) bid to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports in Portugal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have made the signing of a new forward one of their top priorities for the summer window with Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko at the top of their shortlist.
Gyokeres has been one of the most in-form strikers in Europe this season with 52 goals in 49 appearances for Sporting.
On Saturday, Arsenal’s pursuit of Gyokeres led the front of the sport section of Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha.
The report claims that Arsenal have tabled an opening bid of €75m (£63.4m) for Gyokeres and the Gunners have already agreed personal terms with the Sweden international.
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However, Sporting are holding out for a better offer and are waiting for other clubs to rival Arsenal’s interest in the hope of generating an auction in the summer transfer window.
The report adds that Arsenal are concerned that Chelsea will make a move this summer and could even beat their offer by triggering Gyokeres’ €100m (£84.7m) release clause.
It’s understood that Sporting had been willing to accept a fee lower than Gyokeres’ release clause and would be open to a deal worth between €75m and €85m (£63.5m and £72m).
Such a fee would represent a significant profit for Sporting as they signed him in a £20m deal from Coventry City in 2023.
It’s understood that Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, favours a move for Gyokeres ahead of Sesko this summer.
Manchester United have also registered their interest in signing Gyokeres, however, reports this week have claimed that during talks with Ruben Amorim, the 26-year-old made it clear that he would only consider joining United if they are playing Champions League football next season.
As it stands, United have no chance of securing Champions League football via the Premier League and must beat Tottenham in the Europa League final on May 21 to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next term.
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