Arsenal have had some contact over signing an alternative to heavily-mooted striker target Viktor Gyokeres, according to reports, and it is believed the man in question would cost Andrea Berta a very affordable fee this summer.
Arsenal reportedly advancing on deal for Viktor Gyokeres
Multiple reports from Portugal this week indicate that the Gunners are making serious moves for Gyokeres already, with productive talks held ahead of Berta’s debut summer window at the Emirates.
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The Gunners have already been hijacked by La Liga’s heavyweights.
A Bola even reports that Arsenal are ready to offer the 26-year-old a four-to-five-year contract worth around £135,000-per-week, as they look to tempt Gyokeres with a blockbuster Premier League move after his scintillating 50-goal campaign.
|
Viktor Gyokeres stats by competition |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Primeira Liga |
32 |
38 |
8 |
|
Champions League |
8 |
6 |
|
|
Portuguese Cup |
6 |
4 |
3 |
|
Allianz Cup |
3 |
4 |
|
|
Supertaca |
1 |
2 |
|
|
via Transfermarkt |
|||
That same outlet later shared information that Gyokeres has his “heart set” on a move to Arsenal, with Sporting demanding a fee of around £63 million to let their star striker leave, which comes as a major discount on his £84 million release clause.
Reports of this nature are understandably getting supporters excited, especially when factoring in Berta’s need to bring in a prolific centre-forward.
The former Coventry City star would be the ideal player to end Arsenal’s search for a proven front man, but the unpredictable nature of football transfer dealings means we cannot completely rule out the prospect of Mikel Arteta missing out on a move.
Chelsea are also on the look-out for a new striker, and there are suggestions of concerns within London Colney that their English counterparts could launch a hijack attempt by bidding closer to Gyokeres’ release clause (Corriere de Manha).
Some media sources suggest that Arteta actually prefers RB Leizpig starlet Benjamin Sesko to Gyokeres as well, so there could be many twists and turns still to come in Arsenal’s pursuit of a number nine.
There are more alternatives to Gyokeres reportedly being considered by Arsenal, and one of them is Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic.
As per The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are in contact to be kept informed on Vlahovic’s situation, even if he’s further down on Berta’s shopping list.
The Serbia international has hit double figures over his last two campaigns at Juve, and four of his 14 strikes in all competitions this season have come in blockbuster Champions League encounters, so he’s an option capable of performing on the biggest stages.
Vlahovic, after failing to agree a new contract, is also free to depart Turin, and his agents have been reaching out to numerous Premier League sides, including Arsenal, in an attempt to find a new club.
What’s more, Juve could green-light his sale for just £25 million, making Vlahovic one of the potential bargains of the summer.
“I’ve been saying it for a long time,” said ex-Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna about Vlahovic.
“He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage. A good centre-forward.”
