Liverpool To Battle Arsenal For Viktor Gyokeres

As Liverpool’s aggressive summer rebuild continues to unfold, the Reds are eyeing a late move for one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool is not alone. Arsenal and Manchester United have been circling the Swede for months, but with both clubs yet to meet Sporting CP’s asking price, Liverpool could be about to crash the party. It should be noted that Manchester United were also in the mix to sign the Sporting Lisbon man. Gyokeres has a history in terms of working with the current United Manager, Ruben Amorim.

Slot Eyes Proven Goal Machine

Gyokeres isn’t your average hotshot striker lighting up a smaller league. The 26-year-old has become an absolute force of nature in Portugal, racking up a staggering 97 goals in just 102 games for Sporting CP. That kind of return turns heads, especially when you consider that he already has experience in English football from his time with Coventry City and Brighton.

Liverpool have reportedly told their representatives to open talks with Sporting and inquire about the cost of a deal. The Portuguese giants, who have been holding firm throughout the summer, are sticking to their €80 million valuation. They are not expected to lower it.

But money might not be the obstacle for Liverpool. According to reports, they are open to offloading Darwin Núñez this summer, with Napoli showing firm interest in the Uruguayan forward. A deal looks to be imminent. That potential sale could unlock the funds they need to bring in Gyokeres and give Slot the kind of complete forward he prefers, one who not only scores but presses relentlessly and links play. The prospect of Gyokeres, Florian Wirtz, and Mo Salah will be mouth-watering for Liverpool fans. 

Arsenal Remains In The Driving Seat, For Now

That said, Liverpool may be playing catch-up. According to Fabrizio Romano, Gyokeres has made it clear that his preference is Arsenal. He wants Champions League football, and he sees Mikel Arteta’s setup as the ideal fit for his style. Arsenal, however, is focusing on Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old striker from RB Leipzig.

The Gunners have already accelerated talks with the young forward. Arteta is keen on linking up his attack with the Slovenian, especially with Kai Havertz still inconsistent up top and Gabriel Jesus battling injuries. However, Gyokeres could still be on the cards as he’s waiting for the Gunners to make a move. 

Meanwhile, Manchester United have also expressed interest, particularly with Rasmus Højlund, who is very inconsistent and still developing, and the club is keen to bring in a more polished goal scorer. However, with United missing out on European football and still in a financial balancing act under new part-ownership, they may be unable to compete if this turns into a bidding war.

Gyokeres Wants Out

Adding fuel to the fire, reports from Portugal suggest that Gyokeres has already informed Sporting of his desire to leave. Some outlets even claim he has refused to train until the club finds a solution. It is easy to understand his stance. After a sensational season, he wants a bigger stage.

He’s reportedly very sad about how things have turned out, and the clock is ticking for them to cash in. For Liverpool, this is the perfect moment to pounce. But they will have to act quickly. Arsenal has been monitoring the situation for months. If the Reds are serious about Gyokeres, they cannot afford to play the waiting game.

More Than Just Numbers

What makes Gyokeres such a compelling option isn’t just his goals. It is how he scores them. He’s strong, direct, and doesn’t shy away from physical battles. He presses from the front, holds up play, and has the kind of mentality that managers love.

And while comparisons to Núñez are inevitable, both lit up the Primeira Liga before making their big-money moves, Gyokeres is considered by many scouts to be more well-rounded and less erratic in the final third. He is not the fastest forward in Europe, but he doesn’t need to be. 

His movement, awareness, and ability to find pockets of space make him a nightmare for defenders. Darwin, however, had a pretty underwhelming time at Liverpool, so The Reds might also be cautious in pushing for a big money transfer from the Portuguese league again.

There’s no denying that he could fit into Slot’s system, which emphasizes quick transitions, verticality, and an aggressive press. Whether he can deliver the same numbers in the Premier League is, of course, the big question. But the raw tools are there, and Liverpool might just see him as the missing piece to complete their evolving attack.

Will Liverpool Pull the Trigger?

As things stand, Gyokeres is still a Sporting player. But not for long. The only question now is where he’ll end up, and Liverpool’s interest has turned what was a two-horse race into something much more intriguing.

Arsenal or Manchester United are in the lead. The player’s preference is Champions League football, and he can get that at Liverpool and Arsenal, but not with his former boss. The Reds have shown immense ambition and financial muscle this transfer window, with three top-class signings already done. Florian Wirtz, signed from Leverkusen for a record-breaking fee that rounds up to €150 Million Euros. 

Milos Kerkez and Frimpong, Liverpool’s new fullbacks and future pillars of the team were also part of this summer’s transfer regime. It shows Slot is eager to make a statement in his second season and shows no sign of slowing down after winning the Premier League. Considering how much they’ve spent and their bold attitude in the transfer window, a deal for Gyokeres could get very serious in the upcoming weeks.