Arsenal and Chelsea dealt blow as January target is keen on staying at current club: Reports
Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly received a transfer blow as Viktor Gyokeres is interested in staying at Sporting CP this campaign.
Gyokeres, 26, has established himself as one of the most clinical number nines in the world since the start of last season. He scored 43 goals and laid out 15 assists in 50 overall appearances for Sporting in the 2023-24 season, guiding his team to the Primeira Liga title.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has maintained his fine form in the 2024-25 season as well. He has registered seven goals and three assists in five overall outings for his club so far and recently contributed three goals and two assists in two games for Sweden.
Now, according to Spanish news website Fichajes.net, Gyokeres is determined to remain at Sporting until the end of the ongoing campaign despite growing interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The right-footed attacker, however, could be subject to multiple bids next January.
Arsenal, who loaned in Raheem Sterling to bolster their attack last month, are said to be on the lookout for a first-choice striker this season. They could be one of the clubs to launch a move for Gyokeres, who reportedly has an exit clause of close to £85 million, next January.
Chelsea, on the other hand, were reportedly close to signing Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen earlier this summer. Should Nicolas Jackson fail to impress in the coming months, they could try to snap up the Sporting striker to increase their chances of sealing a top four spot.
Gyokeres, on the other hand, has a deal until June 2028 at his club.
Former Chelsea ace calls out Arsenal star
On the summer transfer deadline day, Arsenal offered Raheem Sterling a way out of the Stamford Bridge outfit as they finalised a loan transfer.
Speaking to betting outlet Gambling Zone, former Gunners and Blues star William Gallas lambasted Sterling for failing to shine at the west London outfit. He said (h/t GOAL):
"Sometimes players need to blame themselves when things don't work out at their club. Raheem Sterling was in the situation that he was at Chelsea because he didn't perform for two years. He didn't score or create enough goals and the new manager [Enzo Maresca] would've watched him and made the decision that he doesn't want him in his squad... that's not the manager’s fault."
In the last two seasons, Sterling found the back of the net 19 times and provided 12 assists in 81 matches across all competitions for Chelsea.