Arsenal make headway in pursuit of £70m ace in recent days, Berta believes he could make instant impact - BBC
Arsenal have made headway with a potential move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in recent days, according to the BBC journalist Sami Mokbel.
The Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta believes the 27-year-old Sweden international could make an instant impact if signed, and the hitman himself is very keen to join the North London club.
Signing Gyokeres is likely to cost Arsenal in excess of £70 million, and they appear willing to spend that much on a number 9 heading into the new season after finishing second in the Premier League for the third straight season.
Gyokeres and his RB Leipzig counterpart Benjamin Sesko have been on the radar of the Gunners for a while, but a deal to sign the Slovenian international has proved difficult.
There is still no agreement over personal terms between the 22-year-old and Arsenal, and the two clubs have also been unable to strike a deal.
As a result, they have focused attention on other striking targets and could be closing in on an agreement for the Sporting star.
Gyokeres has a release clause of £85m in his contract, but he would be allowed to leave for slightly less and not the £59m widely reportedly earlier this summer.
There are doubts over his ability to replicate his form in the Portuguese top-flight in the Premier League, which is why he appears to be a plan B for Arsenal, with Sesko the top target.
A move for him has substantial backing from key figures at the club, including manager Mikel Arteta, but it seems they are ready to move on to Gyokeres as they want a new number 9 in place as soon as possible.
The Gunners will start their pre-season training next week before leaving on tour later this month, and having their striker available for the upcoming friendly games before 2025-26 kicks off will be great.
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