Arsenal ready to spend £59m to sign 26yo forward, contract offer on table - report

Arsenal are poised to make several signings during the summer transfer window.

A marquee striker is a main priority alongside a defensive midfielder for the Gunners.

The club are expected to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and A Bola (page 2) claim that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has been identified as the no.1 striker target.

The Gunners hold a long-term interest in signing Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but manager Mikel Arteta believes Gyokeres’ acquisition can be profitable (lesser fee) and also guarantee goals.

Arsenal have already made a generous contract offer of £7 million per year after tax for Gyokeres. The club have not made a formal transfer bid yet as Sporting don’t want any distractions for now.

The Portuguese champions are just goal difference ahead of second-placed Benfica in the league ahead of the final matchday. The pair are also scheduled to face each other in the Portuguese Cup final.

Once those games occur, the Gunners are ready to spend £59-63m on Gyokeres.

Arsenal in pole position to secure Gyokeres’ signature

The Gunners are ‘best placed’ to sign the 26-year-old, as per A Bola.

A formal transfer bid will be made after the Portuguese Cup final on May 25, but the club may still need to be wary of competition from London rivals Chelsea ahead of the transfer window.

The Blues are determined to land a new striker in early June in preparation for the Club World Cup. There is fear within the Arsenal camp that the Blues could trigger Gyokeres’ £85m release clause.

In our view, Arsenal must initially find a verbal agreement with the player to avoid a possible hijack.

Chelsea could be outsiders to land Gyokeres if they don’t qualify for the Champions League. The scenario could be entirely different if they manage to do so with a top-five league finish.

Hence, the Gunners can’t be complacent and need to sort out his transfer as soon as Sporting CP’s season ends. The 26-year-old would be a fabulous acquisition for the club this summer.

The Swede has netted a staggering 52 goals alongside 13 assists this season. He has a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 29 percent and has also impressed with his hold-up and link-up play.

Gyokeres would be a clear upgrade on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, but the big question remains whether he can achieve a high goal tally playing against low-block defensive teams.

The former Coventry City striker has scored plenty of goals on the counter-attack at Sporting CP, but he will face a different test at Arsenal with clubs often prepared to defend deep.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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