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Arsenal 'make Viktor Gyokeres leading forward target this summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 13 March 2024

Arsenal 'make Gyokeres leading forward target this summer'

Arsenal identify Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres as their number one forward target for the summer market, according to a report.

Arsenal have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres as their number one forward target during this summer's transfer window.

Despite the London club's success this season, only two players - Bukayo Saka (16) and Leandro Trossard (11) - have struck double figures during the 2023-24 campaign.

Kai Havertz, who has been used as a forward in recent weeks, has nine goals in all competitions, while Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have eight and six respectively this term.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta suggested last week that his club remain firmly in the market for a new striker this summer despite the amount of goals that they have scored in recent weeks.

"The plans that we have for the summer are very clear," he told reporters.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on February 21, 2024 © Reuters

"They were done almost at the start of the season understanding what we can have, the contract situations with some players, and how we can improve certain areas of the team. This situation doesn't change that."

Brentford's Ivan Toney has long been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, while there have also been suggestions of interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

However, according to FootballTransfers, Gyokeres is now the club's leading target in the final third of the field, with the Gunners determined to secure his signature this summer.

The report claims that Arsenal have been regularly scouting the forward this season, and he is viewed by the club as the perfect fit for their system.

Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their third goal with Mattias Svanberg on March 27, 2023 © Reuters

Gyokeres scored 43 goals and registered 17 assists in 116 appearances for Coventry City before making the move to Sporting during last summer's transfer window.

The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for his Portuguese club this season, scoring 33 goals and registering 12 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.

Gyokeres has netted 19 times and registered eight assists in 23 league appearances, with Sporting currently top of the Primeira Liga table, one point ahead of second-placed Benfica.

The Sweden international has also netted five times and registered one assist in eight Europa League appearances this term, with Ruben Amorim's bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

Manchester United are also said to be keen on Gyokeres, who has a €100m (£85.5m) release clause in the five-year contract that he penned with the Green and Whites upon his arrival last year.