Arsenal are sizing up a £136m double raid on Sporting CP
Arsenal have opened talks to sign a lethal striker and will table a competitive bid for a defender as part of a superb double coup that will cause concern over at Liverpool and Manchester City, according to reports.
The Gunners are already a bona fide title contender with the squad Mikel Arteta has at his disposal. Arsenal have proven they weren’t one-season wonders after last year’s near miss. If they sink Man City on enemy soil on Sunday, they’ll fancy their chances of lifting their first Premier League title since 2004.
At the absolute least, City is destined to compete for titles as long as Pep Guardiola is in leadership.
In the meanwhile, when Jurgen Klopp leaves at the conclusion of the season, Liverpool will take a bold new direction.
However, the Reds have a team built to contend for big awards, and if they are able to sign the highly-regarded Xabi Alonso, they should be able to sustain their high caliber of play.
Nevertheless, four reports suggest that Arsenal would use a £136 million double deal to put both teams on the defensive.
Centre-back and striker signings wanted
This summer, Arteta and Edu plan to bring in a world-class striker to round out a formidable front three. Indeed, defenders would have nightmares if a hitman who could score more than 20 goals in a season was sandwiched between dangerous wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
In addition, the Gunners are searching for a defender to enhance their already formidable defense in the league. With 24 goals conceded, Arsenal leads the Premier League this season.
Arsenal turn to Lisbon
Firstly, the Sun reaffirm Arsenal have scouted centre-back Ousmane Diomande who is also a target for Chelsea.
Diomande’s existing deal in Portugal contains a release clause worth €80m/£69m. However, the Sun state a deal could be struck for roughly £50m, providing there are significant add-ons attached.
Portuguese outlet Record take it a step further, claiming Arsenal have actually let Sporting know they’re prepared to make a £51m bid.
This would be in line with the amount Chelsea is also willing to spend, yet a transfer to Arsenal—who are undoubtedly moving in the right direction—would be preferred.
Right-footed Diomande, 20, is a center-half by trade. He would therefore be seen as a superior replacement for Jakub Kiwior and an excellent backup for Willian Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
With Diomande joining the team, Ben White, a former center-half, would also be able to play right-back in the event that Saliba or Gabriel were unavailable.
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Talks for Gyokeres begin
Elsewhere, talkSPORT report Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres has been installed as Arsenal’s No 1 striker target.
This summer, signing a top-tier center-forward is thought to be Arsenal’s top priority. Although names like Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney have been mentioned, Gyokeres has become the major figure.
The 25-year-old Sweden international has amassed incredible stats for Sporting this season, including 36 goals and 14 assists in 39 games. There is a €100m/£86m release clause in his contract with the massive Portuguese company.
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Given the player’s significance to Sporting, his 2028 contract, and the fact Chelsea is considering him, it is expected that Sporting will not sell the player for less than the release money.
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