CHELSEA and Arsenal are set to join Manchester United in the battle to sign Europe’s most in-demand player Viktor Gyokeres.
The Sporting Lisbon sensation is now widely expected to leave the Portuguese giants at the end of the season.
He could follow his current boss Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford – with United chiefs willing to pay the £63m it would take to sign him.
But Sun Online has learned the Swedish superstar’s advisors are pushing for a move to a club in the Champions League.
And that’s put Arsenal and Chelsea, who are bidding to qualify for Europe’s top competition next season, on red-alert.
The Gunners might have a head start though.
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Mikel Areta’s side have been scouting Gyokeres over the past 12 months in their search for more firepower up top.
But Chelsea are also on the lookout for a prolific number nine and the young Swede would fit the bill.
Both clubs are also in a far better position to be able to offer the player the Champions League football he so dearly craves, with United languishing in 13th in the Prem.
Sporting reportedly have a gentleman’s agreement with Gyokeres to let him go for less than his release clause which is set at around £84m.
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The 26-year-old’s current contract expires in 2028.
He has has gone from Championship striker to one of the world’s best in a whirlwind year.
The Swedish forward enhanced his reputation with a hat-trick in a shock 4-1 win over Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Sporting would look for around £67m but could accept as little as £63m.
And that is likely to interest a host of Prem giants.
Amorim ruled out taking him with him to United in January – but said he does expect the forward to look for a new challenge in the summer.
He said: “I’ve just made peace with the Sporting fans so I’m not even going to make a joke about it.
“Gyokeres is a Sporting player and it’s is a great club, he did a lot for the club. He just has to stay and finish the season at the club.”
His 66 goals in 67 appearances has already drawn interest from Saudi Arabia.
With Gyokeres likely to stay in Portugal for the rest of the season, United are also being tipped to go for another Sporting star.
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Reports say they are tracking 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda, who has impressed this season.
Amorim is preparing to leave Sporting for Old Trafford next week and could bring a couple of players along with him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
