Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres explains why summer move didn't happen but opens door to future transfer
Viktor Gyokeres has suggested Sporting Lisbon were unable to afford his signing in the summer amid reports of interest from Arsenal.
He Swedish forward He was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates following his incredible goalscoring exploits in the 2023/24 season.
He scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 games in all competitions to lead Sporting to the Portuguese league title.
It has been widely speculated that the Gunners They are big admirers of the 26-year-old, who scored 21 Championship goals for Coventry in the 2022/23 campaign.
But Arsenal failed to formalise their interest in the former Brighton centre-forward, with Mikel Arteta Deciding not to sign a striker during the summer window.
And with the player carrying a release clause worth £85m, Gyokeres believes the huge sum of money put off potential suitors.
He said Bladet Sport“They (Sporting) wanted most of the starting players to stay and they kept us firm.
“That's how it was, but I really enjoy Sporting so it wasn't a problem for me to stay.”
Gyokeres then refused to rule out a move away from Sporting in 2025 and remained coy about his future.
He added: “Of course. You want to play at the highest level.”
“Probably (his £85m release clause) was too much because nothing was achieved in return. Of course it's a lot of money, but we'll see what happens in the next window.”
“Nothing happened and I feel like I had a pretty good season. So yeah, that's probably why there was no movement.”
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“But that's what Sports Believe that I am worthy and then you have to respect that.
“I have a lot of fun at Sporting and I can't complain about anything, so I have no problem staying.
“Of course, my goal is to try other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress.”
As if there was ever any doubt, Gyokeres has started the new season in spectacular fashion, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in five games for the club.
He has scored in each of the first four top-flight games.
And he even scored against Azerbaijan in Sweden's 3-0 Nations League win on Thursday night.
If he continues his remarkable form, it would not be surprising to see a European giant try to sign him when the market reopens in January.
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