Arsenal send scouts to watch Sporting vs Benfica as Edu plots first summer transfer
Arsenal appear to be expanding their hunt for a new striker ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners were heavily linked with Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and Joshua Zirkzee last month as Mikel Arteta looked to further bolster his attacking options.
But, with the Brentford striker only recently returning to action following his ban and the Napoli ace penning a contract extension, Arsenal postponed their hunt for a frontman. While the Gunners opted against signing a striker in January, Arteta reportedly remains determined to strengthen his side.
So much so that the club have reportedly identified a new target. According to Portuguese publication A Bola, Arsenal will send scouts to watch Sporting CP lock horns with Benfica in the Taça de Portugal semi-final first-leg.
The report states that the Gunners will be keeping tabs on Viktor Gyokeres, but so will AC Milan. The 25-year-old, who sees his contract at the José Alvalade Stadium expire in 2028, has featured 21 times for Sporting in the Primeira Liga this season, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists.
His impressive performances have led Ruben Amorim's side to the top of the Portuguese top flight, reportedly courting the interest of several other top European clubs. Gyokeres' meteoric rise to superstardom is of particular interest to fans in the United Kingdom following his impressive spell at Coventry City in the Championship last season.
The Sweden international almost dragged the Sky Blues into the Premier League, but Luton Town reigned superior in the play-off final at Wembley. He earned himself a £21.5million transfer to Sporting in the summer, where he penned a deal which reportedly includes a £73m release clause.
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