Arsenal now favourites to sign £86m star, could be purchased for £26m discount - report

Arsenal are the front-runners to purchase one of Europe’s in-form strikers this summer.

The Gunners have had a frustrating Premier League campaign due to injuries and dubious refereeing decisions.

They are 13 points behind leaders Liverpool with just five more games left in the season.

Despite the hurdles, Arsenal could have been closer to the Reds if they had a consistent goalscoring striker.

The hierarchy plan to address the issue during the off-season, and Viktor Gyokeres seems to be the priority transfer target.

A Bola (page 4) claim that the Gunners are ‘in the front’. They are the ‘best placed club to sign’ the Swede from Sporting CP.

Gyokeres has a £86 million release clause in his contract but has a pact with Sporting CP to leave for £60m this summer.

Gyokeres would be a fabulous acquisition for Arsenal

The 26-year-old has been in exceptional form since his move to Sporting CP from Coventry City.

He was sensational last season with 43 goals and 15 assists from 50 games and has managed to better his statistics with 47 goals and 11 assists from just 46 outings.

Gyokeres may not match those statistics on his return to English football, but Arsenal would gladly accept a 25-goal tally from the Swede during his debut campaign.

The former Coventry man has the traits to suit the Gunners. He is mobile and provides a physical presence. Gyokeres also has the knack for creating chances and likes to engage in duels.

Gyokeres has won almost six duels per league appearance this season. He has a phenomenal shot-to-goal conversion rate of 28 percent in the Portuguese top-flight.

The striker would be a clear upgrade on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who has been guilty of missing clear-cut chances. He would transform the club into potential title favourites.

Stats from Sofascore.com

The post Arsenal now favourites to sign £86m star, could be purchased for £26m discount - report first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.