Arsenal End Alexander Isak Chase and Step Up Move for Sporting Star Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have ended their pursuit of Aleksander Isak and identified Victor Gyokeres as their top summer target, SportsBoom sources have been told.

Mikel Arteta knows he needs more firepower up front in his pursuit to win the Premier League. 

Newcastle hitman Isak has netted 20 Premier League goals so far this term, behind superstars Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.

But the Magpies, who paid over £60million for the Swedish star just three years ago, want a huge fee to part ways with their star striker.

And that has put off the Gunners, who have now turned their attention to Sporting’s Gyokeres.

Manchester United seemed the most likely destination for the former Coventry marksman so he could be reunited with Ruben Amorim.

But Emirates’ higher-ups have ramped up their interest in the striker, who has netted 30 league goals this term, in recent weeks with talks between the two parties progressing well, according to sources.

Sporting reportedly only want £63million for their prized number 9, which is a cut-price alternative to Isak, who Newcastle value at almost double that sum.

THE NEED FOR GOALS

Arsenal have been desperate for goals this season after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were both struck down with injury earlier in the campaign. 

The club tried to sign Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko in January, but are now only interested in Gyokeres since being alerted to his availability this summer. 

Sporting boss Rui Borges is resigned to losing his star man when the window reopens.

He said: “Viktor is a player... I think there are no words: it is unlikely that another player of his quality will emerge in our league over the next few years. He is clearly above average."

“We must make the most of the time we have with him because he is truly exceptional."

“Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”