Arsenal scouts have reportedly been 'very impressed' by Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres after regularly attending his matches throughout this season.
There is widespread expectation that the Gunners will look to secure a marquee centre-forward during the summer transfer window, and Gyokeres has emerged as one of their primary targets.
The in-form striker has flourished in his debut season in the Primeira Liga, netting 27 goals to become the league's top scorer, and his impressive performance has already garnered interest from a variety of clubs across Europe.
Gyokeres made the move to Sporting just last summer following his departure from Championship side Coventry City and is also understood to have been on the radar of Chelsea.
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Arsenal frontrunners to secure Gyokeres signature
However, according to Jornal De Noticias, Arsenal's talent-spotters have attended nearly all of the player's games this season and have been 'very impressed' by his performances.
The report adds that Gyokeres is 'almost certain' to leave the Portuguese giants this summer and claims the Gunners are now the frontrunners to secure his signature.
In a recent interview with the media, Gyokeres mentioned, "Stay next season? It's football, it's normal, I can't promise anything. I really like being here, but in football everything happens very fast and we have to adapt.
"I can't make so many predictions, it's difficult, there are still games this season, then we'll see. [Ruben Amorim] is a very good coach, I like him."
Sporting are understood to be reluctant to part ways with the prized number nine but are protected by an £85m release in his contract.
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Gyokeres to bolster Gunners attack
Thus, a move for the Swedish international will likely rely on Arsenal's ability to offload existing players in the transfer window to raise the required funds.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have faced challenges this season, collectively scoring only nine Premier League goals, and while Kai Havertz has done an excellent job since mid-February with eight goals and five assists, he is not a natural number nine.
Under Mikel Arteta's guidance, the Gunners have had a stellar season, and with just two games remaining, they are still in contention for the Premier League title.
Arsenal's last league title came in 2004, a historic season during which they went unbeaten throughout the campaign.
Devesh Jaganath
