Arsenal have several striker targets in mind ahead of the summer transfer window, and Liverpool may now have some influence over one potential deal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to depart Anfield at the end of the season, and Sporting Club De Portugal head coach Ruben Amorim has been strongly linked as his replacement.
Amorim has built a strong side at Sporting, who knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League on penalties last season, and they have been flying this year with the help of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres has been linked with a move to the Emirates after an outstanding campaign in Portugal, but it is unclear what the striker’s intention is with regard to a potential exit. However, Fabrizio Romano has now issued a potentially exciting update on his future, with Amorim’s mooted move to Liverpool playing a factor.
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Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres could leave Sporting if Ruben Amorim joins Liverpool
In his Daily Briefing, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Amorim had such a huge influence on Gyokeres joining Sporting, that his potential departure could make a move away more likely.
“Viktor Gyokeres’ agent Hasan Cetinkaya has spoken publicly to admit that his client’s future at Sporting Lisbon could be tied to the future of manager Ruben Amorim. We know Amorim is currently looking like the leading candidate for the Liverpool job, with contacts taking place even if a deal is not done yet,” he revealed.
“Gyokeres, who has had a superb first season with Sporting with 50 goal/assist contributions, had many proposals last summer from different clubs, but Amorim was a key factor for him to join Sporting. So obviously, with Amorim probably leaving this summer, it could mean the same for Gyokeres.”
Could Arsenal tempt Viktor Gyokeres into a summer transfer?
It was recently reported that the former Coventry striker may prefer to stay in Europe rather than returning to England, but it now seems that if he is to leave, his preferred destination may be Arsenal.
Should Amorim stay at the club, the 25-year-old could end up remaining in Lisbon for now, although given his £86m release clause, and the level of interest in him, a move does appear on the cards.
Given that Liverpool already have former Benfica attacker Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo as central striker options, it seems unlikely that they would move for a similar profile in Gyokeres, even if Amorim was to join, which could further open the door for the Swedish attacker to join Arsenal.