The Swedish goalscorer has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs this summer, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, having banged in 43 goals in 50 games for Sporting last season after departing Coventry in a deal worth £20m.
The Championship club included a sell-on clause but in a big hint that Gyokeres could be auctioned off, Sporting have now paid €2 million (£1.7m) to Coventry City to reduce it from 15 per cent down to 10 per cent, as per Sport.
Sporting have a €100m (£86million) release clause in Gyokeres' contract that the Gunners could trigger to secure the striker this summer. However fresh claims suggest they are ready to put in an initial offer of £55million to test the waters.
Should an offer be accepted, Arsenal could have the perfect trick up their sleeve to convince him to join them. With Cedric Soares leaving the club following the expiration of his contract, the No.17 shirt has become available.
And offering him that shirt could act as a real sweetener given his previous liking for the number. The 26-year-old currently wears the number nine for Sporting but has consistently had the No.17 on his back for his country and also when he played for Coventry City.
Gyokeres won't be able to take the No.9 at Arsenal, though, as Gabriel Jesus currently occupies that but he could land the famous No.14 shirt that Thierry Henry donned should Eddie Nketiah depart the club.
Arsenal are starting to make moves in the transfer market, having welcomed their second summer signing in Riccardo Calafiori in a £42m deal earlier this week - after making David Raya's loan move permanent.
The Gunners are also expected to launch their bid to sign Spain's Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino over the coming days but they are yet to push for a new No.9 despite many feeling that is where they are lacking in comparison to title winners Manchester City.
However, Gyokeres could change that as the Gunners continued to be linked with a big-money move for the Swedish goal machine, having distanced themselves from Aleksandr Isak and Victor Osimhen.
Arsenal have also been busy regarding departures with Emile Smith Rowe closing in on a £27m move to Fulham, which could rise to £34m with add-ons. The Athletic also claim that Marseille have stumped up the cash to secure Nketiah's signature, bidding near £16.8m for the Arsenal forward.
Ahead of Arsenal's friendly against Liverpool on Thursday night, boss Arteta was candid about the club's transfer plans for the rest of the window. He said: "Let’s see. We have to wait and see the movements in the market.
"We have already identified the things that we can improve. We had the meetings in February, March, April. So if we can we will strengthen the team. So far I’m really happy with what we have."
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