• Arsenal will make additions to their forward line in upcoming summer window
  • North London club have been linked with a host of costly targets around Europa 
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By TUM BALOGUN

Arsenal will make Viktor Gyokeres one of the club’s highest earners should they convince him to witch Sporting Lisbon for the Emirates this summer, according to a report. 

Mikel Arteta’s side will be in the market for a new striker during the upcoming window, with the Swede emerging as the most likely target. Though, the Gunners will face considerable competition from the likes of Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. 

Sporting are believed to be demanding a fee in excess of £70million for the 26-year-old who has netted 95 goals in 100 goals for the Portuguese side. 

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the north London club have carried out a ‘survey’ that Gyokeres’ representatives are aware of which includes a generous yearly salary package of €8.3m (£7m) net. 

That would put the striker’s gross weekly salary in the region of £240,000 pounds and place him among the club’s highest’s earners, trailing only Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, according to Capology. 

Additionally, the report out of Portugal claims that the Arsenal are willin to offer a four to five-year contract. 

Prolific Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a likely target for Arsenal this summer

Prolific Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a likely target for Arsenal this summer

Mikel Arteta's side are desperate to bolster their frontline this summer after another trophyless campaign

Mikel Arteta’s side are desperate to bolster their frontline this summer after another trophyless campaign

Manchester United, coached by Gyokeres' former boss at Sporting, are also believed to be in the running for his signature

Manchester United, coached by Gyokeres’ former boss at Sporting, are also believed to be in the running for his signature

While no formal offer has been submitted to Sporting yet, a move for Gyokeres is now considered to be more realistic and cost effective than a pursuit for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who has long been linked with the Gunners. 

After crashing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage and seeing Liverpool clinch the Premier League in a season when Manchester City have been well short of their usual best, there is an acceptance by Arteta, new sporting director Andrea Berta and the club that serious investment in the frontline is needed.

However, internally, views are torn on whether Gyokeres can hit the ground running in the Premier League as the Primeira Liga is a different proposition, even though he has scored 38 league goals this season. 

Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko is another name in the frame. He has 26 goals in this campaign and at 21 years old, presents an ideal profile for future growth. The Gunners have also previously done much of the groundwork on a potential Sesko deal.

The other avenue Arsenal are looking to secure is the key spine of their current team.

The contracts of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel all expire in two years, which will alert clubs across Europe.

The club are relaxed about the contract situation of Saka, who they expect will sign a new long-term deal this summer.

It is the Saliba situation where there is apprehension. Real Madrid are keen on the Frenchman and have started to ramp up their public interest in him.

The 24-year-old’s key motivation is winning trophies. With the Gunners going another season without silverware, securing his long-term future becomes more complicated.

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Revealed: The HUGE wage Arsenal ‘are ready to offer Viktor Gyokeres’ to persuade him of a move to the Emirates over Man United

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