Reports from The Sun have revealed that the Swedish star favours a move to the Gunners, despite interest from Manchester United and a bold push from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Qadsiah FC.
Arsenal's season might not end with silverware, as they trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 12 points with only a monumental collapse from the Reds, who have lost just once all campaign, offering any hope of catching up. The Gunners have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, but few pundits back them to go further, pointing to their lack of a senior centre-forward as a glaring weakness.
Manager Mikel Arteta, however, remains undeterred and is already planning a major squad overhaul, backed by new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Gyokeres, who has been banging in goals for Sporting CP, tops Arsenal's wishlist. The Sun has reported that the 26-year-old is "leaning towards" a switch to north London, drawn by the Gunners' status as title contenders and their guaranteed Champions League football next season.
"Arteta's track record of improving players in the toughest league in the world is a big pull," a source close to the deal said.
Berta, a known admirer of Gyokeres, is eager to kick off his tenure with a statement signing, aiming to wrap up the transfer swiftly to win over Arsenal's board and supporters.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are not out of the picture. Gyokeres shares a strong bond with their manager Ruben Amorim, his former boss at Sporting.
Despite the Red Devils enduring a dismal season, one of their worst in recent memory, Amorim's influence could still sway the striker. "He's got a soft spot for Ruben," an insider noted, hinting that United remain a wildcard in this transfer saga.
The plot thickened with Al Qadsiah FC entering the fray. The Saudi side, where ex-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now plays, are prepared to flex their financial muscle.
Sporting CP are holding out for a hefty up-front fee rather than staggered payments, and Al Qadsiah have the cash to splash, potentially offering above Gyokeres' market value. "They're ready to ruffle feathers," The Sun reported, suggesting the Middle Eastern club could outbid both Premier League giants.
In a boost for Arsenal and United, Sporting have slashed their asking price. The Portuguese club, originally tied to an 85 million pounds release clause, are now willing to negotiate between 55 million and 70 million pounds, according to the same report. This cut-price deal has intensified the competition, but it's Arsenal who appear to hold the edge.
Meanwhile, Sporting's official channels on X have stayed silent, but the buzz around Gyokeres' future is impossible to ignore.
For Arsenal, landing Gyokeres could be the missing piece in their quest for glory. For United, it's a chance to reunite a proven goalscorer with a familiar face. But with Al Qadsiah lurking, both clubs know they'll need to act decisively, or risk seeing their prize snatched away by Saudi riches.
Ruben Amorim has openly admitted that his past victories over Manchester City were partly down to luck, but he knows that relying on fortune won't be enough to secure a third win against Pep Guardiola's men this season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has sharply criticized the controversial penalty awarded to Everton during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, a result that further dampened his side's Premier League title aspirations.
Liverpool have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring to sign Lille's prolific striker Jonathan David, with talks already underway with his representatives for a potential free transfer this summer.
Ruben Amorim has made it clear he expects Manchester United to challenge for the Premier League title as early as next season, refusing to accept the notion that a years-long rebuild is necessary.
