Arsenal and Chelsea get clear Viktor Gyokeres transfer message as Sporting CP chance emerges

Sporting CP are standing firm on their Viktor Gyokeres stance amid heavy-handed transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The 26-year-old enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in Portugal, while the goal contributions have continued flying in with 14 to his name already over nine appearances in all competitions this season.

The Sweden international played 75 minutes for Sporting in their Friday evening 3-0 win against Estoril but, for the first time in seven Liga Portugal games, he failed to find the back of the net. However, it takes nothing away from a staggering record in front of goal since joining Sporting, which stands at 54 goals and 18 assists from 59 matches.

Unsurprisingly with those returns, Premier League clubs have taken a keen interest with both Arsenal and Chelsea interested in acquiring a top-level striker. With Gyokeres certainly an option, the man himself recently spoke about his future and dropped a hint that he would be open to moving on.

"Yes, the release clause into my contract is high, but I'm happy at Sporting," Gyokeres said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. "I had no problems when I had to stay here for one more season.

"My value is there and that's it now. We will see when something happens."

Given how well Gyokeres has performed, the Portuguese champions won't want to lose him but, if that's what it comes to, Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim will ensure the club receive a suitable transfer fee.

"Gyokeres is a great player and I think he’s worth £84million (€100m)," he told CNN earlier this month. "That's the price he has and we have to go ahead with it. Whoever wants to [sign him] will have to pay that." And that looks set to continue being his asking price with Sporting yet to budge on their stance.

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According to The Express, any interested party will have to meet Gyokeres' release clause in order to be able to sign him next summer. Arsenal opted not to pursue his services after deeming he was too expensive, but it could all change next summer - or when the market reopens.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are thought to have set their sights on the former Coventry man, after failing to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli. Osimhen, 25, is currently on loan with Galatasaray.