Manchester City 'plot' transfer hijack for £85m-rated Arsenal target amid Erling Haaland interest
Manchester City have targeted Arsenal transfer target Viktor Gyokeres as a possible Erling Haaland replacement.
Manchester City have lined up Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres as a transfer target amid reports that Erling Haaland could be on the way out. Real Madrid have shown interest in the Norwegian and could move for Haaland should he fail to sign a new contract at the Etihad.
If he was to leave the Etihad, the Mirror reports that City have identified Viktor Gyokeres as a possible replacement for Haaland, but title rivals Arsenal have been interested in the Sporting CP striker for some time. There were strong reports during the summer linking Gyokeres to Arsenal, however, the striker’s £85m release clause was enough to put the Gunners off any potential move.
However, reports emerged in September that Sporting CP was more open to selling the 26-year-old in January and may look to reduce his release clause amid interest from Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester City.
Haaland’s potential departure could trigger a bidding war for Gyokeres should Real Madrid decide to open talks with the Norwegian goal scorer. According to Sky Sports, Haaland has a £125m release clause in his contract which is due to expire in 2027 meaning that City would likely have to sell him in 2026 should a new contract at the Etihad Stadium not come to fruition.
Viktor Gyokeres was disappointed at the lack of summer move
The Swedish international admitted in September that buying clubs were put off by his £85 million release clause which he said was ‘too much’. He said: “The €100m (£85m) exit clause was probably a bit too much because nothing came of it. Of course it’s a lot of money. But we’ll see what happens next window…
“Nothing happened and it feels like I had a pretty good season. So yes, that’s probably why there was simply no move. But that’s what Sporting thinks I’m worth, and then you have to respect that. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress.”
The striker could be on the move in January to Arsenal should his price decrease, but title rivals Manchester City could come in and hijack the move for the former Coventry City striker instead. A striker has been a priority for the Gunners in recent windows but they have yet to find the right target at the right price, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak another name linked.
Why is Viktor Gyokeres so in demand?
The Swedish international has been somewhat of a clone to Haaland in the Liga Portugal helping his Sporting CP side to the top of the league after eight matches with eight wins.
Gyokeres has made 13 appearances in all competitions so far this season for the Lisbon-based side and scored 13 goals with four assists. He has picked up from where he left off last season after netting 43 in 50 games with 15 assists.