Major Arsenal target wants Real Madrid move | OneFootball

Arsenal’s pursuit of Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres faces a new challenge as the player has reportedly expressed a strong desire to join Real Madrid.

GYOKERES WANTS TO PLAY FOR REAL MADRID – Correio da Manha 10 September 2024

Viktor Gyökeres has been in outstanding form this season, and his performances have held the attention of top European clubs.

The 26-year-old forward has scored 10 goals and provided five assists for both Sporting CP and the Swedish national team. This impressive form has led to heightened interest from Real Madrid, with reports suggesting that the Spanish club might consider a bid in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Spanish press, according to reports from the Portuguese Correio da Manhã, highlights Gyökeres’ excellent start to the season, noting his desire to play in a more competitive league amid reports of mutual admiration between the player and the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, is reportedly open to making an offer for the forward, which is handy given Gyökeres’ reported ambitions.

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal showed strong interest in Gyökeres but was deterred by his €100 million release clause, a figure that Gyökeres himself said was ‘too much’.

Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and Rio Ave FC at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 9, 2024.(Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite his current contract with Sporting CP, which runs until 2028, and his stated happiness at the club, Gyökeres has acknowledged that the prospect of playing in a more competitive league is appealing. “I have a lot of fun at Sporting and I can’t complain about anything. We always want to try other leagues and a higher level, of course, but I’m not stressed about it,” Gyökeres said recently.

Arsenal, along with other Premier League clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur, have been monitoring Gyökeres’ performances closely.

They are particularly interested in assessing his contributions in the Champions League before making any bids.

According to Record, Sporting CP is considering a pay rise to retain their star forward, but the financial package from Premier League clubs like Arsenal is likely to be more lucrative.

Record, 8 September 2024

Gyökeres, currently earning €46,000 per week (£39,000), may find the financial incentives from Arsenal more attractive compared to Sporting’s offer, but a bid from Real Madrid would be a different beast altogether.

Despite Sporting CP’s attempts to manage negotiations discreetly and increase Gyökeres’ salary without extending his contract, Arsenal’s interest remains a significant factor.

Sporting’s efforts to keep Gyökeres happy in the short term, aiming for a historic back-to-back league title, could be undermined if Arsenal or other top clubs make a compelling offer in the January window.

SOLNA, SWEDEN – SEPTEMBER 8: Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates with teammate Dejan Kulusevski after scoring 3-0 during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League C Group C1 match between Sweden and Estonia at Strawberry Arena on September 8, 2024 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Gyökeres’ impact at Sporting has been remarkable, with 50 goals and 18 assists across 55 matches, in addition to his 10 goals in 22 appearances for Sweden. His consistent performances have solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting forwards.

While Sporting CP is preparing to offer him a pay rise, Gyökeres’ expressed desire to eventually test himself in a more competitive league suggests that Real Madrid or Arsenal may have a chance to secure his services in the near future.

For Arsenal, the situation presents an opportunity to test Sporting’s resolve and potentially secure one of Europe’s most sought-after talents. As the January transfer window approaches, Arsenal will need to carefully assess their strategy to compete with other interested clubs and potentially make a move for Gyökeres.