The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for Gyokeres during the summer transfer window, who is reported to have a €100million (£83.3million) release clause in his contract. Arsenal were reported to be interested in signing a new striker during the summer, with Gyokeres one of several players mentioned as potential targets.
Gyokeres was joined by RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen, who left Napoli to join Galatasaray on loan, Ivan Toney, who moved to the Saudi Pro League from Brentford and Alexander Isak of Newcastle United. It seems that the links to Gyokeres have been the most prominent from an Arsenal perspective, but the striker remained in Portugal over the summer and has already scored 12 goals in the same number of appearances across all competitions for Sporting this season.
Varandas has spoken about the chances of Gyokeres leaving Sporting when the transfer window opens in the New Year. The club president admitted there is a possibility of an exit but that it is rather unlikely at this stage.
"I would say it is very, very, very difficult," Varandas told RTP. "There is nothing impossible in life, but I would say it is very, very, very difficult.
"He has scored many, he continues to score, it would be very, very, very difficult, very difficult."
After choosing not to sign a striker in the summer and sanctioning the exit of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta has selected Kai Havertz in the centre-forward role for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus has also been used in the No.9 position for the Gunners this season, and it remains to be seen if a new striker will be targeted in the January transfer window.
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