Viktor Gyokeres refused to rule out a move to the Emirates when cornered by one of his old Arsenal-supporting team-mates during a FaceTime call this week.
The 26-year-old striker has established himself as one of the most sought-after attacking players in European football having scored 54 goals in 52 games to help steer Sporting to a domestic double this season.
And while Sporting managed to fend off strong interest from a host of elite clubs to keep hold of Gyokeres in January, the Portuguese champions have grown increasingly resigned to losing their prized position.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli have all been linked with Gyokeres in recent weeks, with the prolific forward reportedly available for a fee in the region of £60million.
Atletico Madrid are the latest team to enter the running for Gyokeres’ signature, placing the former Coventry City man at the top of their shortlist of targets this summer.
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But Arsenal have emerged as the leading contenders to strike a deal for Gyokeres as they look to strengthen their attack for next season – and club chiefs flew out to Lisbon to speak with the Swede’s agent last week.
With the window now officially open, Arsenal supporters are eagerly awaiting updates on the ever-evolving transfer saga – and Leo Ostigard tried his very best to give them some answers on the latest episode of the Flymoduspod podcast.
Ostigard – a lifelong Arsenal fan himself – played alongside Gyokeres at Coventry and it’s clear the pair are still close, with the Norwegian calling up his former team-mate in the middle of the recording.
Here’s how the conversation played out…
Podcast host
‘You know I’m wondering, I know you can’t say much about it, but Viktor, where are you going in the summer transfer window?
‘Can you give us a hint? Is it Arsenal? Which three? What are the alternatives?’
Gyokeres
‘Haha, no. We will see… nobody knows anything yet.
‘I wish I had a more fun answer, but that’s all I can say for now.’
Ostigard
‘Viktor, great talking to you! See you soon and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal.’
Gyokeres
‘Yeah, yeah, sure.’
Gyokeres, who has remained coy amid the incessant gossip and rumour over his future, is tied into a contract with Sporting until June 2028.
The Primeira Liga outfit stand to make make a tidy profit on Gyokeres given they signed the attacker from Coventry for a fee of just £16.7m two years ago.
Sporting head coach Rui Borges insists he is relaxed about the situation and has stressed throughout that Gyokeres remains ‘very happy’ in the Portuguese capital.
Despite the uncertainty over his future, Gyokeres remains ‘very happy’ in the Portuguese capital according to Sporting’s head coach Rui Borges.
‘He is very happy here,’ Borges told reporters after his side successfully defended their league title with a 2-0 victory over Vitoria Guimaraes.
‘He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it.’
Borges is confident there are no finer centre-forwards currently plying their trade in Europe.
‘He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show,’ Borges added.
‘He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn’t leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club.
‘He feels very happy here.’
Speaking to Metro courtesy of BetMGM, ex-Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder suggested a move to the Bernabeu could be a ‘perfect match’ for Gyokeres this summer.
‘You have to pick a team which works for your playing style,’ Sneijder said.
‘At the moment, maybe Real [should consider signing him].
‘If it allows Kylian Mbappe to move back to the left then maybe it’s a perfect match.’
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