Arsenal handed major Viktor Gyokeres transfer boost as Chelsea make £30m decision

Chelsea’s proposed move for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap could leave the door open for Arsenal to secure the signing of Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

Reports in Portugal have suggested that the Blues have ‘made an enquiry’ to sign Gyokeres from Sporting. The 26-year-old is one of the most-sought after strikers in Europe after scoring 54 goals in 52 matches in 2024/25.

Enzo Maresca is keen to strengthen his forward line, and although Gyokeres has emerged as a summer target, the Blues are closing in on a deal to sign Delap from Ipswich.

According to The Athletic, Delap has given his preference to Chelsea and his camp has informed Manchester United, Everton, Nottingham Forest, AC Milan, Juventus and Newcastle of his decision.

Talks are advancing and there is hope that a deal can be finalised soon, with Chelsea expected to trigger the £30million release clause in Delap’s contract.

The 22-year-old signed for Ipswich in a £15m plus add-ons deal from Manchester City last summer and scored 12 times during a breakthrough season in the Premier League.

And with Delap set to make the move to Chelsea, it could decrease the competition for Arsenal in the race to sign Gyokeres from Sporting. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has identified the Swede as a top forward option after attempting to sign him at Atletico Madrid 12 months ago.

Arsenal are desperate to add a No.9 and Gyokeres has moved to the top of their summer shopping list, with Benjamin Sesko among the others linked. Arteta is said to be a huge fan of Gyokeres and a transfer could be completed for as little as £60m, despite the fact he has a £85m release clause.

Having less competition might drive Gyokeres’ price down, especially if Chelsea pull out of the race and Manchester United decide against pursuing a move after failing to reach the Champions League.

However, Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha provided an update on Gyokeres’ future earlier this week and revealed the club haven’t received any offers. He said: “He has three more years on his contract. At the moment there are no offers, he has three more years on his contract.

“I think the answer has been given. [Sporting’s transfer plans] won’t be any different from last year. We want to keep the best players and retain talent.

“We want to continue to be champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years when Sporting were champions, we even made fewer sales than in other years… the fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.

“Coincidence or not, we have not had to sell any players in those times. Not that we have not received offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent.”