Arsenal could seal a move for Viktor Gyokeres for less than his €100million (£86m) release clause, it has been claimed.
The 25-year-old’s €100m release clause has been well documented by Sporting Clube de Portugal amid transfer links to Arsenal and Chelsea. However, clubs could seal a transfer this summer for half that price, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
They claim that Sporting have since slapped a €50m (£43m) price tag on the Sweden international and could be prepared to agree a deal for that price in the summer. Along with Arsenal and Chelsea, AC Milan are also said to be lining up a move for the forward.
It is reported that Zlatan Ibrahomovic, a senior advisor at the San Siro could prove to be a key factor in trying to convince the Swede over a move. Gazzetta dello Sport add that Milan have been monitoring him since before his move to Sporting as they look for a long-term replacement for Olivier Giroud.
However, it is claimed that the Gunners and the Blues are “in the front row” to sign Gyokeres. Milan would find it “impossible to keep up” if a bidding war was to take place in the summer between European clubs.
Gyokeres meanwhile, admitted he doesn’t think too much about the transfer interest. “I don’t think much about it now actually,” he told the Swedish media while on international duty. “I want to win the league and the cup with Sporting – that’s where I’m putting all my energy and strength.
READ MORE: Arsenal Premier League fixture changes for April confirmed as Tottenham uncertainty emerges
READ MORE: Arsenal face Bukayo Saka injury wait as Mikel Arteta turns attention to Man City title clash
“But it’s a sign that I’ve been performing well, but it’s not something I take too seriously. It’s just speculation, but it’s good and fun to talk about.
“We’ll see what happens in the summer, I don’t know what will happen. But I really like Sporting and I don’t feel stressed at all for what’s to come.”
Meanwhile, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim, who previously addressed the interest in the striker said: “The fear of losing, is a fear of losing any player. He has a release clause and what I know is that all players will only leave if their release clause is met. If any club pays €100m, he will have to go but until then, he remains a Sporting player.”
He has scored 36 goals in 39 games for Sporting with the Lions top of the Primeira Liga table. Having arrived in Lisbon for less than a year, clubs are already queueing up for his signature ahead of the summer and now clubs could look at taking advantage to sign him at a lower fee.
