A surprise club are ready to pounce if Arsenal make any mistakes in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, according to a report.
Arsenal look to be serenely closing in on their man after agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal, with talks ongoing over a fee which could rise to £70million.
Gyokeres has lashed in 97 goals over the last two seasons for Sporting Lisbon and is Arsenal’s chief target after it became apparent they could not afford RB Leipzig’s valuation of Benjamin Sesko, which is reported to be as high as £86m.
The Gunners have been slow out of the blocks this transfer window, as expected, but have signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60m, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m, and are poised to make an offer for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
Mikel Arteta has called for more firepower and there are not many men in Europe more sought after in that department than Gyokeres, 27.
Portuguese outlet Record claims that Fenerbahce want in on the scuffle for his services and will consider a loan swoop should negotiations with Arsenal fail.
The newspaper adds that Gyokeres is ‘prepared for the worst’ regarding his prospective switch to London.
An irritated Gyokeres had accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60m, to which club president Frederico Varandas said he had received no offers and vowed he would not succumb to ‘blackmails and insults’.
Since then, Arsenal have been in touch.
Sporting were reportedly concerned Gyokeres would follow through on his threat to go on strike instead of returning for pre-season training next, but the situation now looks to be reaching a head.
As reported by Mail Sport, Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new striker before his squad jets out to Singapore on July 19 to begin their tour of Asia.
Sporting do have some cards in their hands though, beause Gyokeres is under contract until 2028.
He pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah earlier this summer.
Gyokeres was also on Juventus’ radar but the Serie A giants have missed out, too.
Arsenal also hold an interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo of Real Madrid, while they have been agreed personal terms with Madueke in recent days.
Arteta was forced to rely on a makeshift striker in Mikel Merino after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left him without a recognised striker for much of last season, and he made the arrival of a new frontman a priority in this window.
