Chelsea may be audacious enough to try and sign 25-year-old striker in January, Arsenal won’t

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Chelsea may be audacious enough to go and try to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres in the January transfer window.

That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Evening Standard claimed earlier this week that Chelsea put Viktor Gyokeres on a five-man shortlist of potential striker targets.

The 25-year-old forward has 15 goals in 18 games this season for Sporting, but it’s worth mentioning that he did only move to Portugal in the summer.

Chelsea and Arsenal interest

Chelsea and Arsenal are both mentioned as interested buyers for Gyokeres, but the Gunners are only likely to move next summer rather than January.

As for Chelsea, they may have the financial power to try bring the Sporting frontman to Stamford Bridge in the New Year.

“Viktor Gyokeres is flying for Sporting right now with nine league goals in 12 games,” Jacobs told CaughtOffside.

“And if he is to leave then clubs are going to have to trigger (or better) his €100m release clause. He only joined Sporting in July and Ruben Amorim has been clear to his board that he doesn’t want to lose his star striker mid-season.

“Both Arsenal and Chelsea have scouted Gyokeres, which is normal, but probably only the latter would have the financial muscle or some might say audacity, to move mid-season.”

“Arsenal, much like with any pursuit of Joao Palhinha at Fulham, won’t spend a crazy fee in January but could be one side to watch for Gyokeres over the summer.”

Viktor Gyokeres flying this season

Gyokeres looked like a top player last year for Coventry City in England’s second division, but we doubt many would’ve expected such a fast start in Lisbon.

On top of 15 goals this season, Gyokeres has a further seven assist in 18 appearances.

He ticks so many boxes as a modern No 9 with is size, power and quality finishing.

There’s no guarantee he could replicate recent success in the Premier League, but this Sporting spell and run of form is proving he’s a proper goalscorer. That is something Chelsea fans may feel the club lacked since the days of Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge.