Juventus are reportedly planning to swoop for Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal's move for the Sporting Lisbon star currently on hold. The Italian club is said to have offered the Swedish player a substantial contract. Gyokeres, 27, is in high demand following another outstanding season with the Portuguese champions.
He has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League due to interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, although a reunion with his former Sporting boss, Ruben Amorim, at Old Trafford now seems unlikely. Gyokeres was thought to prefer a move to Arsenal. However, the Gunners are also pursuing Benjamin Sesko.
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With reports from Portugal suggesting that Arsenal have cooled their interest due to Sporting's transfer demands, Juventus have made their move.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants are keen to secure Gyokeres and have already indicated to the striker's representatives that they are prepared to meet his £11million-a-year wage demands.
It is also claimed that Juventus plan to make a formal offer exceeding £60m in the coming days in an attempt to finalise a deal for the former Coventry City player.
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This development could be a significant setback for Arsenal, who remain interested in signing Gyokeres despite their reported 'frustrations' over Sporting's stance on a deal.
Earlier this year, it was rumoured that the club and Gyokeres had reached a gentleman's agreement which would permit his departure for about £60m, rather than insisting on the full amount of his release clause.
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However, that arrangement seems to have fallen through, with Sporting vehemently denying such claims. The club's president, Frederico Varandas, has even gone as far as to accuse Gyokeres' agent of "playing games" as tensions escalate.
It remains uncertain if this will deter the host of clubs interested in him, but it is widely believed that Gyokeres is set to exit Portugal during the summer transfer window.
On another front, Manchester United are gearing up to intensify their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike after learning that Gyokeres might prefer a switch to one of their Premier League rivals. The Red Devils are understood to have initiated talks with Eintracht Frankfurt regarding the highly-coveted French Under-21 sensation, who is also on the radar of Chelsea and Liverpool.