Arsenal and Chelsea are eyeing a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres next summer, as a January move is all but ruled out.
According to Football Insider, Viktor Gyokeres could move out of Sporting CP next summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea the likely contenders to make their moves. The Swedish striker has been on hot scoring form over the last 12 months but remains committed to Sporting CP for the time being.
Arsenal and Chelsea in Viktor Gyokeres tussle
Arsenal and Chelsea were among the clubs linked with Viktor Gyokeres over the last few months. Both teams were looking for a prolific striker to add to their squad, but neither ended up signing one in the summer.
While speculation did the rounds that may have unsettled any other player, Gyokeres stayed committed to Sporting CP and did not agitate for a move. The prospect of joining one of the top Premier League clubs would have enticed any player, although the 26-year-old attacker was happy to continue in Portugal.
Arsenal scouted him earlier this season, as Gyokeres has continued to score goals since the start of the new campaign. He has already achieved 10 goals and assists in five club games across all competitions, and he looks on course to match or better his tally from the previous campaign. Hence, the London clubs are keen and could make a move for him next summer.
Gyokeres does not want to leave in January, as it would take clubs £84 million to prise him away, which happens to be his release clause. Sporting will not accept a lower fee for their marksman, although their stance could soften next summer. When asked about his release clause and if it was a bit expensive, this is what Gyokeres said.
“probably a bit too much”. He added: “I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can’t complain about anything, so it’s absolutely no problem for me to stay. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress.”
Summer move for Gyokeres makes sense
In the summer of 2023, right after the World Cup, Chelsea could not convince Benfica to reduce their asking price for Enzo Fernandez and ended up paying slightly more than his release clause. That’s the case during any January window, as clubs are reluctant to lose their star players, meaning the release clause has to be met.
Hence, in the case of Gyokeres, clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea hope to find a proper solution with Sporting to lower the price for strikers. The 26-year-old attacker will be a year older then and probably at the right time to make his big career move and probably return to England.
