Arsenal and Chelsea both want to sign a striker in the summer transfer window and the sporty Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres is heavily connected to a move to the Premier League
Arsenal was able to get a clear run at Viktor Gyokees after Rivals Chelsea got a huge boost in their pursuit of Liam Delap. The future of Gyokeres is one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window that will be opened on Sunday.
The Sporting Lisbon star has emerged as one of Europe's most sought after strikers after scoring a sensational 54 goals in 52 games this season. Gyokees, who will turn 27 next week, shot sporty in a competition and cup double in Portugal and played on Sunday what his last game could have been for the Lisbon Giants.
Mirror Football reported earlier this month that Arsenal Van Gyokeres had made their number 1 transfer target target, willing to offer him a bumper deal. It has also been claimed that the Gunners have made contact with alternative target Benjamin Sesko.
Mikel Arteta wanted to sign the Slovenian Hotshot, 21, last summer, only for him to sign a new long -term deal at RB Leipzig. On Wednesday it turned out that Sesko would cost no less than £ 92.5 million. Sporting has indicated that £ 60 million would be enough – but it is not only Arsenal that is linked to each other.
London Rivals Chelsea is also planning to sign a striker this summer, with the Sweden International on their radar. But Arsenal has been stimulated by developments at Stamford Bridge.
The striker of Ipswich Town Delap is supposed to have chosen to join Chelsea about old admirers Manchester United. The blues are managed by Enzo Maresca, with whom Delap collaborated in the former club Manchester City, and will play in the Champions League next season, giving them the lead over United.
How does Chelsea's movement help for Delap Arsenal?
Chelsea Signing Delap is not entirely from the race for Gyokeres – we all know how todd Boehly loves his assets – but given that they already have Nicolas Jackson, it is very unlikely that the blues £ 60m for Gyokeres Plus the £ 30m that they would spend on the turn of his release.
That is why Arsenal is expected to have one competitor less in the race to sign the 26-year-old. Chelsea could also have offered him the same benefits as the Guners: Premier League and Champions League football plus the chance to live in London.
Should Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres sign? Say in the commentary part.
What did Sporting say?
This week, sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha confirmed that the Primeira Liga champions should not receive formal offers for Gyokees. “He has three years on his contract,” Zenha recalled reports.
“At the moment there are no offers, he has three years on his contract. I think the answer was given. [Sporting’s transfer plans] Will be no different than last year. We want to keep the best players and keep talent.
“We want to stay champion, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years that sporting champions were, we have even made fewer sales than in other years … The fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.
“Coincidence or not, we didn't have to sell players at that time. Not that we have not received any offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent.”
Did Gyokeres drop hints?
After he helped Sporting to win the Taca de Portugal against Bitter Rivals Benfica on Sunday, Gyokeres was tight at his future. “Let's look, it's hard for me to say,” the Swede replied when he was asked about his plans.
“Because yes, it's football and you never know what will happen in the summer. So for me to say something different than that is impossible.”
Portuguese Outlet A Bola claims that his girlfriend, born in Lisbon actress Ines Aguiaar, 'Sportfans' promised' to convince Gyokeres to work out a third season. In the meantime, his uncle, Chris, revealed that their families also want him to stay.
“I am super happy, this is great,” said Chris after the cup final. “We were here last year, it is the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Outside words!”
Asked if the Gyokers family felt a connection with Lisbon, Chris replied: “Yes, very bad … Yesterday during dinner we decided that he should stay.” And to the question whether the former Coventry star would remain, he replied meaningful: “Yes, we think so.”
Those comments were later placed on Gyokees, who said: “They [his family] I really love Portugal; I think they want to be here and enjoy the city, the good weather and all the atmosphere. “