€100m Arsenal target SPARKLES in front of scouts with hat-trick

Peter Staunton
  • Updated: 18 Mar 2024 09:07 GMT
  • 5 min read
Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP, 2023/24
© IMAGO

Viktor Gyokeres scored a sensational hat-trick and grabbed another brilliant assist in front of onlooking Arsenal scouts as Sporting CP routed Boavista 6-1 on Sunday night.

The Liga Portugal leaders remain one point ahead of Lisbon rivals Benfica with a game in hand at the top of the table after super Swede Gyokeres helped fire them past Boavista at home.

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It was revealed by FootballTransfers on Saturday that an Arsenal delegation would be in attendance at the Estadio Jose Alvalade XXI on Sunday night in order to again assess the form of the red-hot 25-year-old goalscorer.

READ MORE: Arsenal to repeat Odegaard trick with Real Madrid star forced out by Mbappe

Last week we disclosed that Gyokeres was now the Premier League leaders’ No.1 summer transfer priority.

Gyokeres poached one goal in the first half, demonstrating first-class movement in and around the box, and added a brilliant individual goal after the break.

Pulling away from defenders down the left channel, the former St Pauli star cut inside and rifled a right-footed shot past the Boavista goalkeeper.

He later added a penalty to complete his hat-trick and take his Sporting goalscoring total to 22 in 24 league games. Gyokeres has netted 36 in 39 games overall for his new club, adding 14 assists along the way.

One of those assists came on Sunday night in brilliant fashion; again down the left channel, he beat two markers, reached the byline and delivered a pin-point cross for Nuno Santos to make it six late on.

That was a great example of Gyokeres' versatility. Even though he is a central striker, he can do great work on the flanks and could even eclipse Gabriel Martinelli in that left-side channel.

Hale End graduates could make way for Gyokeres

It was a truly stellar performance from the Arsenal target that will have impressed onlookers from the North London club.

Arsenal are in the market for a new striker in the upcoming transfer window with Gyokeres in the picture alongside Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney also on the list.

The Gunners did not sign a forward in the winter window over concerns that they were coming close to breaching Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability regulations but should be in a position to strike in summer.

Hale End graduates Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah could be sacrificed in order to beef up Mikel Arteta’s transfer budget and the manager could well plough the proceeds into signing Gyokeres.

Gyokeres becoming one of Europe’s best

Signed by Sporting from Coventry City last summer for an initial €20 million fee, the 19-cap Sweden international has gone on to become one of the most complete forwards in Europe today.

He’s got a €100m buyout clause in his Sporting contract and it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese league leaders will deal for a sum less than that.

Gyokeres has got a contract until 2028 meaning Sporting are currently well protected in making sure they get the best possible fee for their new striking star.

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