Sporting CP star sends clear Viktor Gyokeres message to Arsenal after £60m transfer boost

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Viktor Gyokeres has received a glowing verdict from one of his Sporting CP teammates amid transfer links to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are expected to sanction a striker signing this summer with the Swede one of many options linked.

Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig are the main alternatives up top of interest to the Gunners. football.london understands that Arsenal would also like to sign a wide forward, defender and back-up goalkeeper in addition to the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

The Spaniard has a £51million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract but Arsenal could instead look to complete that deal through instalments. That would allow for more of the budget to be allocated towards a number of other incomings.

Gyokeres, who could also join, may not even take up a large portion of that with Sporting potentially willing to accept an offer as low as £60million this summer, as per the Athletic.

The 26-year-old has scored a staggering 52 goals this season and if he makes a similar impact in the final two games of Sporting's season, they will likely win two trophies. They are favourites for the Portuguese league title after the 1-1 draw against Benfica saw them remain top.

In eight days, they face that team again in a cup final and it could therefore be the perfect farewell for Gyokeres if he does depart. Unsurprisingly, those at Sporting absolutely love him with Maximiliano Araujo making his feelings perfectly clear.

"He’s a beast, an animal. He’s surprised me a lot since the day I arrived. He’s like that in training, he’s a competitive animal," he told A Bola.

"He can score three goals and want to score the fourth. He reminds me a lot of Luis Suárez. He only knows how to score goals, always scoring goals and running after every ball."

Arsenal very nearly signed Suarez when Arsene Wenger was in charge and if Araujo is right, Arteta will have one hell of a player on his hands. It could be a deal that is dragged out over the summer though, with other clubs also interested.

In the meantime, Arsenal may focus on other targets such as Nico Williams, Joan Garcia and Rodrygo. The Real Madrid star is a new name being linked to a north London switch with Mikel Arteta said to be a huge fan.

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