The Sporting CP striker has enjoyed two incredible seasons in Portugal and is widely expected to move on this summer for a big transfer fee.
A number of clubs have been linked with a move for him, with Arsenal heavily tipped to strike a deal. Juventus and Manchester United have also been named in dispatches with the 27-year-old’s signature
Gyokeres was always going to be linked with United, who are managed now by the striker’s former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.
But according to reports in Corriere dello Sport, Gyokeres has rejected the opportunity to sign a big-money deal with Juventus, because he favours a move to the Emirates Stadium.
New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been in discussions with manager Mikel Arteta over his preferred striker move, with Benjamin Sesko also linked with a move to north London
Gyokeres has smashed an astonishing 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese giants, showing just why he is being talked about so highly
But while the frontman is waiting for Arsenal’s call, it may well be that Arsenal wait themselves to take a closer look at what Gyokeres can do.
The Gunners may well have scouted the striker already, but the stick that has been used to beat Gyokeres with is that he has been scoring goals for fun in a lesser league. The Portuguese league is not considered one of the top five in Europe and he has minimal top European experience either, with eight Champions League games this season and nine Europa League games last season.
Arsenal may like to see him against some top level opposition and they will get the chance to do that this summer before making a final transfer decision
Sporting CP’s pre-season fixtures schedule has them up against two British teams, which could give Arsenal a taste of how Gyokeres will fare in the Premier League.
Ahead of the new Portuguese season kicking off, Sporting CP’s first friendly of the summer is against Celtic on Wednesday, July 16 at Estadio Algarve. Not \premier League opposition, but a potential indication of how Gyokeres could do against tough British opponents.
Then Rui Borges’ team play at the same stadium on Monday, July 21 as Sunderland make the trip to Portugal for a friendly. Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs at the end of this season and will take on Arsenal in 2025/26.
