Arsenal discover new Viktor Gyokeres transfer preference as threat emerges after £68m request

Liverpool have reportedly emerged as a 'preference' for Viktor Gyokeres should the Arsenaltarget leave Sporting CP this summer. Gyokeres, 27, is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe after an impressive season in Portugal, where he scored 54 goals and added 13 assists in 52 matches.

Arne Slot's side could dip into the transfer market for a new No.9 with Darwin Nunez's future uncertain. Nunez, 25, has been linked with a stunning summer move to Napoli after struggling for form last season. Alexander Isak is Liverpool's top striker option, but a move for Gyokeres cannot be ruled out.

Now, according to A Bola, Gyokeres has placed Liverpool among his list of preferences alongside Manchester City and Arsenal. It's added that while the Gunners are leading the race at present, Slot's Reds are looking at the Sweden international and have him as a potential summer transfer target.

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Earlier this month, it was reported that Arsenal lodged a £46.8million plus £8.5m add-ons bid for Gyokeres after a meeting with Sporting. The Gunners are now said to be willing to reach £51m plus bonuses, but that is still way below the £68.1m requested by Sporting's board, which has left Gyokeres and agent furious.

Gyokeres' agent Hasan Cetinkaya believes Sporting made a gentleman's agreement that the forward could leave the club for £59m, after he rejected transfer interest last summer. He has an £85m release clause but the Portuguese club were said to have agreed for him to depart for much less.

However, Sporting president Varandasrevealed in a press conference on June 11 that there is no agreement for Gyokeres to leave for £59m in the summer transfer window.

"I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m because I never promised that," Varandas said. "To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres - neither today nor last season."

Reports in Portugal then claimed that Gyokeres was left 'disrespected' about the situation, won't return to Sporting for pre-season and that he would 'rather go on strike'.

Manchester United remain in the race for Gyokeres and could emerge as a favourite if Arsenal opt for Benjamin Sesko, but the Red Devils don't have Champions League football to offer - something that is a sticking point.

Speaking last month, Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha provided an update on his future and revealed the club are hoping to keep hold of him. He said: "He has three more years on his contract. At the moment there are no offers, he has three more years on his contract.

"I think the answer has been given. [Sporting's transfer plans] won’t be any different from last year. We want to keep the best players and retain talent.

"We want to continue to be champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years when Sporting were champions, we even made fewer sales than in other years... the fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.

"Coincidence or not, we have not had to sell any players in those times. Not that we have not received offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent."