Chelsea are set to provide Arsenal competition for a ‘lethal’ striker.
The West Londoners have endured an up and down season during Mauricio Pochettino’s first full year in charge.
It’s become pretty evident that Chelsea are in a transitional phase, though, it seems they turned a corner towards the end of the season.
Pochettino will be desperate to strengthen this summer and a striker will be heavy on the agenda.
That said, they’ve just been linked with one.
Chelsea eye Viktor Gyokeres
Chelsea are set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Sporting’s ‘lethal’ striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to The Times.
The report further notes that potential suitors will have to outlay a staggering £85m to sign him, as the Portuguese club won’t budge on his release clause.
Sporting are anticipating offers for the Sweden international but will remain firm in their stance and point to his lofty release clause.
Gyokeres, who only joined last summer from Coventry City in a £17.1m.) deal, has quickly established himself as one of the best strikers on the continent having netted a whopping 43 goals whilst laying on 15 assists last term.
Viktor Gyokeres statistics
Gyokeres’ statistics make for very impressive reading and it’s little surprise many of the leading clubs in Europe are in for him this summer.
The 25-year-old, who has drawn comparisons to Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, ranks in the top one per cent for progressive carries compared to his positional peers across the continent, as per FBref.
Further, he sits in the top three per cent for expected assists, evincing he is also a playmaker not just a penalty box striker.
Whoever lands Gyokeres this summer will be getting the full package, if indeed he even leaves Sporting.