Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in recent weeks, but a new report indicates that the Gunners are hesitant to meet the player's release clause.
Gyokeres was one of the Primeira Liga's standout performers last season, scoring an incredible 29 goals and 10 assists in 33 matches for the Lions.
Owing to his excellent performances, the 26-year-old has captured the attention of several big clubs across Europe, including the Gunners' cross-town rivals Chelsea.
After coming up two points short of Manchester City for the Premier League title last season, Mikel Arteta is believed to have prioritised bolstering his attacking options this summer, with the current attacking duo of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah managing a total of just nine goals between them during the 2023 -24 campaign.
Among the names rumoured to be on the Gunners' shortlist of candidates are Brentford's Ivan Toney, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Sporting's Gyokeres.
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Arsenal unwilling to meet Gyokeres release clause
The Gunners are believed to have enquired about the availability of Osimhen previously, but were unwilling to meet his £100m+ release clause, and according to Football Insider, they are now in a similar situation over the signing of the Sporting forward.
Gyokeres's release clause is currently set at £86m, and given that the Lisbon giants are reluctant to part ways with the player, they are likely to hold out for the full amount.
His current deal with Ruben Amorim's side runs until the end of the 2027-28 season, which puts the club under virtually no pressure to sell him this summer.
The Sweden international arrived at Jose Alvalade Stadium just last season from Coventry City for a fee of around £21m.
The report adds that the Gunners will now hold fire on their pursuit of the Sporting man and will assess other opportunities over the coming weeks, rather than being forced into a panic buy.
Meanwhile, a separate report from the Evening Standard suggests that the Gunners maintain an interest in the forward, but are only willing to consider spending in the region of £50m to £60m to bring him to the Emirates Stadium for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Gunners to entrust Havertz to lead the line next season?
It is understood that the North Londoners would be happy to enter the new season with Kai Havertz leading the attack if they are unable to find a suitable striker option during the offseason.
Havertz scored 13 goals in his debut season for the Gunners and was on the scoresheet for Germany in their opening match of Euro 2024 against Scotland.
Arsenal signed the German international from Chelsea in a deal worth £67.5m in June last year.
The Gunners are also said to be keeping tabs on highly-rated RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko, who is also currently on Euro 2024 duty with Slovenia in Group C, alongside England Denmark and Serbia.
Devesh Jaganath
