Arsenal received a significant transfer boost as 36-goal striker makes Arsenal his ‘first-choice’ for summer move as Chelsea snubbed…

Arsenal becomes the preferred destination for the lethal 36-goal striker, rejecting Chelsea’s advances, as he considers it his top choice for a summer transfer.

Mikel Arteta received a significant transfer boost with reports indicating that Arsenal’s top striker target Viktor Gyokeres prefers a move to the Emirates instead of London rivals Chelsea.

Gyokeres has excelled at Portuguese club Sporting CP this season, scoring 36 goals and providing 15 assists in 42 matches across all competitions.

The Swedish international made the switch to Lisbon from English Championship team Coventry City for a club-record fee of £17m in the previous summer.

The 25-year-old striker, who has netted 22 goals and contributed 10 assists in 26 matches in the Portuguese top division, has been instrumental in Sporting’s push for the title. Sporting Lisbon currently lead Benfica by four points in the Primeira Liga with a game in hand and have seven games remaining.

Arsenal are reportedly prioritizing the signing of a center forward in the upcoming summer transfer window, as Arteta looks for an alternative to Gabriel Jesus.

Despite offering some positive attributes, the Brazilian forward is not a prolific goal scorer and has struggled with injuries since his move from Manchester City.

Although Kai Havertz has excelled in the central striker role recently, the German international is not considered a long-term solution in that position due to his natural midfield tendencies.

While Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have been linked with Arsenal, Gyokeres has emerged as their primary target.

As per a report from Football Transfers, Gyokeres, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, has identified Arsenal as his preferred destination for a summer transfer.

Sporting’s €80m (£68m) fee for the first installment may pose a challenge, but Arsenal aims to negotiate it down from the €100m (£85.5m) release clause.

Ruben Amorim’s potential departure from Sporting could impact Gyokeres’ decision to stay. The Swedish striker, who has scored six goals in 20 games, is likely to leave the club if Amorim moves to Liverpool.

Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, acknowledged that the coach’s future will be a key factor in the player’s decision.

In an interview with A Bola, Gyokores’ representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, acknowledged that the future of the Portuguese coach could have a significant impact on the striker’s future.

“Yes, it will be more challenging for Viktor to remain if Ruben Amorim departs Sporting,” Cetinkaya stated.

“Viktor joined specifically because of Ruben. When we first met, I told Ruben: ‘Here is my player, he came to Sporting because of you’.

“Playing in the Champions League is an honor for any player, including Viktor. However, there are other crucial factors, and Ruben Amorim is one of them. If he moves on, it will be harder for Viktor to stay.”

Amorim is anticipated to leave Sporting to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer, with sources confirming to TEAMtalk on Tuesday that Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with the Portuguese.