Sporting have just won the Portuguese league and Viktor Gyokeres has dropped a bombshell claiming that he is planning to leave at the end of this season.
The forward has been courted by several top European teams including Arsenal and now that he’s shown his desire to leave, Gyokeres will be much sought after.
The 25-year-old told the fans(As quoted Portuguese newspaper Record): “Thank you very much, Sporting fans. See you soon! I can’t promise that I’ll still be here.
“I love it here and I wouldn’t mind. But things happen quickly in football and we have to adapt to that. We’ll see what happens. It’s hard to predict what will happen in the future.
“He’s a great coach. I wouldn’t mind continuing with him here. I’ve had a lot of good managers, it’s hard to pick one, but he brought me here and it’s been a great season.”
Should Arsenal pay €100 million for the Viktor Gyokeres?
Viktor Gyokeres is supposed to be Arsenal’s top priority target for the summer window but he has a €100 million release clause in his contract. The North London side are also scouting forwards like Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko but the Sporting is at the top of their wishlist and for good reason as well.
The release clause is a major discussion point amongst the Arsenal management but the performances, he has put in this season for Sporting, the centre-forward is surely worth that much.
This was his first season in Portugal and in 47 games, he has scored 41 goals with 27 of them coming in the league. Apart from 41 goals, Viktor Gyokeres has also provided 10 assists and undoubtedly, he has been one of the most talked about strikers in Europe right now.
The Swedish international will perfectly fit Arsenal’s style of football and he will be the ideal upgrade to Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Jesus has been a massive failure this season and unless Arsenal bring in a world-class goal-scorer they will always end up behind Manchester City in the title race. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 16 goals followed by Havertz who has scored 12 goals. While Saka is a right-winger, Kai Havertz has shifted his role from centre-forward to a left-sided midfielder.
Viktor Gyokeres has an xG of 21.37 and an xA of 5.85 and if he can replicate the same form for the Gunners next season then Arsenal will be unbeatable.
€100 million is a hell lot of money but last season, Arsenal paid a premium for Declan Rice and the England international has revitalised the Gunners midfielder. Based on his performances this season, Viktor Gyokeres can have a similar impact but the one big doubt will be whether he can adapt to the Premier League or not. Thankfully, before joining Sporting, Gyokeres has spent time in England with teams like Coventry, Swansea and also Brighton and Hove Albion.
