Barcelona prepare offer 20-goal Arsenal target | OneFootball

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a substantial offer for Viktor Gyokeres to strengthen their attack, as the Catalan side looks to find a suitable replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

According to the Catalan publication El Nacional, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, views Gyokeres as the ideal target to refresh the forward line, with Lewandowski now aged 36.

Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres #9 reacts at the end of the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and FC Porto at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on August 31, 2024. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)

The Sporting CP striker has made a significant impact since joining from Coventry City, and with his current form seeing 20 goals and four assists in 16 appearances this season, the Swedish international has caught the eye of many European giants.

Deco is reportedly hopeful that including Vitor Roque in the deal could bring Gyokeres’ price down from his release clause of €100m to a more feasible figure around €70m (£60m), although Sporting might be about to drop his price anyway (see below).

Roque, who struggled to settle at Barcelona after his €40m move from Brazil, has been loaned out to Real Betis, scoring four goals in 11 games this season. The inclusion of Roque in negotiations could be a shrewd move by Barcelona, as they aim to secure a quality striker without excessively burdening their bank balance.

Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres runs with the ball 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)

Gyokeres’ performances have been instrumental in Sporting’s domestic success, with an impressive record of 63 goals in 66 matches since his arrival in Lisbon. His form has sparked interest not just from Barcelona but also from Manchester City, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Milan, and Al Nassr.

Sporting have shown reluctance to let their star striker leave, particularly during a season where they are competing on multiple fronts.

Manchester United have also joined the race for Gyokeres, especially after appointing Rúben Amorim as their new manager. Amorim, who managed the Swedish forward at Sporting, has highlighted the 26-year-old as a primary target in reshaping United’s attack.

Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford followed the sacking of Erik ten Hag, with United activating his £8.3m release clause to bring him to Manchester.

Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates at the end of the Portuguese League football match between Sporting CP and Gil Vicente FC at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on December 4, 2023. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Amorim’s familiarity with Gyokeres gives United an edge, particularly as the Swedish striker is reported to be unsettled by Amorim’s departure from Sporting. This disruption has opened the door for a potential move, and Gyokeres has expressed his desire to test himself in a more competitive league—something both United and Arsenal can offer.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have long admired Gyokeres, tracking his progress since his time in Portugal. With Sporting reportedly getting ready to lower their asking price to between £50-58m, it could represent the ideal opportunity for the Gunners to finally secure their target and add firepower to their attack.

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)

Gyokeres currently earns around €46,000 per week (£39,000), a wage that Arsenal could comfortably surpass, particularly if they are serious about outmuscling United.

With Premier League competition intensifying, Sporting CP may find themselves unable to fend off interest from clubs with significantly more financial muscle.

Gyokeres is one of the most prolific forwards in Europe at present, and his determination to prove himself at a higher level could be decisive.

Arsenal, though facing stiff competition, must act decisively to avoid losing out to their Premier League rivals.