Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal: Chelsea's huge striker boost after Sporting transfer statement

Arsenal could get a clear run at after rivals were given a . Gyokeres' future is set to be of the which opens on Sunday.

The star has emerged as after scoring a sensational 54 goals in 52 games this season. Gyokeres, who turns 27 next week, fired Sporting to a league and cup double in Portugal, playing what could've been his final game for the Lisbon giants on Sunday.

Mirror Football reported earlier this month that , willing to offer him a bumper deal. Sporting have indicated that £60million would be enough - but it's not just the Gunners who've been linked.

London rivals Chelsea are also planning to sign a striker this summer, with the international on their radar. But have been buoyed by developments at Stamford Bridge.

striker Delap is understood to have chosen to join Chelsea over long-time admirers . The Blues are managed by , who Delap worked with at former club , and will play in the next season, giving them the edge over United.

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How does Chelsea's move for Delap help Arsenal?

Chelsea signing Delap doesn't completely rule them out of the race for Gyokeres - we all know how loves stockpiling his assets - but given that they already have , it's highly unlikely that the Blues would shell out £60m for Gyokeres plus the £30m which they'd spend on Delap by paying his release clause.

Therefore, Arsenal are expected to have have one less competitor in the race to sign the 26-year-old. Chelsea could've offered him the same perks as the Guners, too: and Champions League football plus the chance to live in London.

Should Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres? Have your say in the .

What have Sporting said?

This week, Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha confirmed that the Primeira Liga champions are yet to receive any formal offers for Gyokeres. "He has three more years on his contract," Zenha reminded reports.

"At the moment there are no offers, he has three more years on his contract. I think the answer has been given. [Sporting's transfer plans] won't be any different from last year. We want to keep the best players and retain talent.

"We want to continue to be champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts. I have been in this role for seven years. In the years when Sporting were champions, we even made fewer sales than in other years... the fact that we are champions gives us a greater ability to retain players and talent.

"Coincidence or not, we have not had to sell any players in those times. Not that we have not received offers, but the market is not under our control, we are always dependent."

Has Gyokeres dropped any hints?

After helping Sporting win the Taca de Portugal against bitter rivals Benfica on Sunday, Gyokeres was tight-lipped on his future. "Let's see, it's hard for me to say," the Swede replied when asked about his plans.

"Because yeah, it is football and you never know what's going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible."

Portuguese outlet claim that his girlfriend, Lisbon-born actress Ines Aguiar, 'promised' Sporting fans to do her upmost to convince Gyokeres to stay at Sporting for a third season. Meanwhile, his uncle, Chris, revealed that their family also want him to stay.

"I'm super happy, this is amazing," Chris was quoted as saying after the cup final. "We were here last year, it's the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!"

Asked if the Gyokeres family felt a connection to Lisbon, Chris responded: "Yes, very much... yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay." And when asked if the star would stay, he tellingly replied: "Yes, we think so."

Those comments were later put to Gyokeres, who said: "They [his family] really like Portugal; I think they want to be here and enjoy the city, the good weather, and all the atmosphere."

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