Chelsea are reported to have made an approach to rival Arsenal for the signature of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres.
The Blues are looking to sign a new central striker early in the transfer window and are ramping up their plans after securing their spot in next season’s Champions League. Liam Delap of Ipswich Town is a known target but recent reports have highlighted interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké.
Likewise, Arsenal want a new striker this summer and the Gunners are widely assumed to be leading the race for Gyökeres, but Portuguese outlet now predict a significant battle for his signature.
It is claimed that Chelsea have reached out in the hours following their Conference League triumph over Real Betis with a view to accelerating their transfer plans, trying to determine where Gyökeres stands currently in regards to his future.
The Sweden international, who is thought to be keen to join a top side capable of competing for major honours, has also received reportedly an approach from Serie A outfit Juventus.
Just how much it will cost any interested side to sign Gyökeres has been disputed. His release clause of €100 million (£83.8 million, $112.8 million) has been disregarded in favour of a gentlemen’s agreement to reduce that fee, although the amount required to secure his signature is unclear.
According to , those in charge at Sporting have informed Gyökeres’s suitors that it will cost €80 million (£67 million, $90.3 million) to sign the 26-year-old this summer.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea are known to be prepared to spend big on a new striker but the two London rivals are examining all the options available to them before committing to what will likely be a defining transfer decision.
Alongside Gyökeres, Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in Ekitiké, while RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško is thought to be under serious consideration in both boardrooms.
