Arsenal told they will have to pay £86m if they want to sign ‘outstanding’ striker this summer

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Fabrizio Romano has now been providing details on Mikel Arteta’s search for a new Arsenal striker this coming summer.

It’s long been felt that Arteta will look to recruit a new centre-forward this season, perhaps to replace Eddie Nketiah.

Although the goals are flowing right now, Arsenal would benefit from a striker with an elite goal-scoring touch.

Arteta probably wouldn’t target a ‘project player’ so to speak, he requires a striker who is ready to contribute in the here and now.

And that perhaps explains why Arsenal are linked with such lofty targets, names like Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney.

However, a new name has surfaced of late, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Arsenal are scouting Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the summer.

The Sporting Lisbon striker has now scored a remarkable 32 goals in all competitions since trading Coventry City for Portugal this season.

And speaking on ‘The Here We Go Podcast’, Romano confirmed that any move to Arsenal wouldn’t come cheap.

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal will have to spend big to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer

Romano said that any club that wants to sign Gyokeres in the off-season will have to pay the striker’s release clause, Sporting simply won’t settle for less.

He explained: “Yes I think there will be movement, this is the feeling, there is a release clause into the contract of Viktor Gyokeres and it is €100m.

“So this is the price, even when in January we had rumours about English clubs moving around Gyokeres, the message from Sporting was very clear, the release clause or nothing.

“We know how tough it is to negotiate with Portuguese clubs, we all remember what happened for example with Enzo Fernandes to Chelsea, Pedro Porro to Tottenham – you have to pay the release clause until the end of the negotiation.

“They will not give up, so this is how they negotiate in Portugal, this is also likely for the Viktor Gyokeres deal.

“Arsenal scouts were in attendance to follow Viktor Gyokeres, it is true, but there are also other clubs in the race.”

Of course, given Fabrizio Romano’s words, it has to be questioned if a deal for Gyokeres would represent good value for Arsenal in the summer.

As mentioned, Arsenal need a player who is ready to shine immediately, someone who can force Gabriel Jesus out wide on occasion.

And the step up from life in Portugal would still be a considerable one for the Swede, even if he is an ‘outstanding’ talent. 

That being said, one Arsenal player may actually need to leave the club himself next season given a lack of senior chances.