Liverpool Planning to Hijack Arsenal’s Move for Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP Striker Eyed as Potential Darwin Nunez Replacement at Anfield

Liverpool’s forward line could be in for a dramatic reshuffle this summer, with reports emerging that the Merseyside club is planning to hijack Arsenal’s move for Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Sporting CP forward, who lit up Liga Portugal with his prolific scoring last season, is now firmly in the sights of the Anfield recruitment team—especially as the club prepares for the possible exit of Darwin Nunez.

A Nunez-Sized Hole at Anfield

When Darwin Nunez signed from Benfica in 2022 for a club-record fee that could rise to £85 million, there was genuine excitement among Liverpool fans. The Uruguayan had scored 34 goals in 41 games for Benfica the previous season and was expected to carry the goal-scoring mantle from an aging Roberto Firmino.

However, two years on, Nunez’s Liverpool career remains one of frustrating inconsistency. Electric at times, wasteful at others—his erratic finishing and lack of composure in front of goal have drawn criticism and even raised doubts about his long-term future at the club.

Al-Nassr made a bold approach in January, but it now seems that Serie A outfit Napoli are preparing to test Liverpool’s resolve with a concrete €50 million bid. And with the player reportedly open to a move, new manager Arne Slot is already considering replacements.

Liverpool Join Arsenal in Race for Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres Liverpool

Enter Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish hitman who bagged 43 goals and 15 assists in all competitions last season for Sporting CP. According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, Liverpool have now entered the race for his signature and are seriously considering triggering his €80 million release clause.

Arsenal have long been linked with Viktor Gyokeres and were believed to be frontrunners in the race. However, with Liverpool’s sudden and aggressive interest—reportedly through intermediaries gathering price and contract details—things might be about to change dramatically.

Gyokeres is said to be keen on leaving Sporting this summer. Despite being one of the standout players in Europe, he has rejected a move to Manchester United, reportedly due to a lack of enthusiasm about reuniting with former manager Ruben Amorim. For the 26-year-old, this next step must be right.

Why Viktor Gyokeres Makes Sense for Liverpool

For Arne Slot, the appeal is obvious. Viktor Gyokeres is strong, quick, and clinical—traits that Slot values highly from his time at Feyenoord, where dynamic attackers played central roles in his title-winning side. The Swede also offers a different profile to Nunez: more composed in front of goal, stronger with his back to goal, and tactically disciplined.

He is also entering the prime of his career. With Liverpool shifting to a new era post-Klopp, building around younger stars like Florian Wirtz, Conor Bradley, and Harvey Elliott, Viktor Gyokeres could become a central figure in Slot’s offensive plans.

The Bigger Picture: Outgoings Could Fund the Deal

It’s not just Nunez whose days at Anfield may be numbered. Colombian winger Luis Díaz is another high-profile name linked with a move away. Barcelona are reported to be “very interested” in Díaz, and with Liverpool potentially commanding a €70-80 million fee for the winger, his sale would go a long way to financing their next big signing.

Liverpool already broke the British transfer record earlier in the summer to land Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen—a statement of intent under their new footballing structure. Bringing in Viktor Gyokeres would be another strong signal that this post-Klopp era is not about transition, but ambition.

Arsenal May Not Have the Last Word

It seemed, for a while, that Arsenal would be the destination for Viktor Gyokeres. Mikel Arteta has admired the striker for months and sees him as the final piece of his attacking puzzle. Despite Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Eddie Nketiah all featuring centrally last season, Arsenal lacked a pure No. 9 with the finishing quality to turn draws into wins.

With Arsenal’s financial focus spread across multiple targets—another midfielder, defensive depth, and possibly a winger—Liverpool’s clear and focused pursuit might give them the edge.

And for Viktor Gyokeres, the promise of a starting role in a team hungry to reclaim domestic and European dominance might be hard to ignore.

What Happens Next?

Viktor Gyokeres Liverpool

The deal, should it progress, is unlikely to be finalised until Darwin Nunez’s future is clarified. Napoli are in pole position, and once that domino falls, Liverpool’s intentions with Viktor Gyokeres could become more concrete.

Sporting, for their part, are open to selling. While they’re reluctant to lose their top scorer, the €80 million release clause gives them a safety net. Reports suggest they might even be willing to negotiate around €75 million—still a steep price, but one Liverpool are reportedly prepared to match if they generate sufficient income from outgoing players.

Conclusion: A Battle Worth Watching

As the summer transfer window heats up, the tug-of-war for Viktor Gyokeres is one of the most compelling storylines. Arsenal remain in the picture, but Liverpool’s late surge could reshape the narrative entirely.

Whether Viktor Gyokeres ends up under the Anfield lights or calling the Emirates home, one thing is certain—he’s a striker in demand. And if Arne Slot and Liverpool make a strong enough case, they might just win this race and start their new era with one of Europe’s most prolific strikers leading the line.