The 26-year-old former Coventry City striker only joined Sporting Lisbon last summer but has attracted interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs after scoring 43 goals in 50 games during his first season in Portugal.
Viktor Gyokeres feels the huge release clause prevented him from making a summer move, but he thinks it could be a different story next year. Arsenal have been heavily linked with a final move for Gyokeres and the Sweden international this summer, with reports in Portugal even suggesting the Gunners have held talks with Sporting about a deal.
The striker has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract, a sum he feels will make him unlikely to move this summer.“They want to keep holding on to most of the starters.It happened, but I love Sporting so much. So for me it’s no problem to stay and nothing happens, so maybe it’s a little bit too much.But we will see what happens in the next window. Nothing happened and I feel I had a good season. But Sporting thinks this is what I deserve.And you have to respect that.I’m very happy with myself in the sport and I can’t complain about anything so staying is not a problem for me at all.You’re meant to experiment with other leagues at a higher level, but I’m under no pressure.” Gyokeres told Aftonbladet.
Arsenal are hoping to sign a new No.9 in the summer, with Red Bull Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko and Gyokeres also in the mix, but the Gunners have opted to focus elsewhere after the Slovenia international decided to sign a new deal with Leipzig. Kai Havertz impressed at No.9 at the end of last season and Arsenal are likely to be on the lookout for a new striker next summer, but have started the new campaign in similar fashion.Spain midfielders Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling were signed on loan before last week’s transfer deadline, turning David Raya’s loan move into a permanent one.
