Arsenal and Chelsea among 4 Premier League clubs handed huge boost in race for 26-year-old striker with 25 goal involvements this season: Reports

Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly been handed a transfer boost in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres as Sporting CP have accepted that a summer transfer is likely.

Gyokeres, 26, has emerged as the talk of the town since the end of last campaign. He has proved to be a transformational signing for Sporting since arriving in a deal worth around £20 million from Coventry City.

The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion striker helped Ruben Amorim's side lift the Primeira Liga title last campaign. He scored a staggering 43 goals and laid out 15 assists in 50 matches across competitions for his club.

Now, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Sporting believe that a summer transfer for Gyokeres is quite likely with a move next January not in plans. They have an agreement that the 22-cap Sweden international, who has a release clause of £83 million, can exit next summer for a sum between £50 million and £58 million.

Gyokeres, whose current contract is set to expire in June 2028, has drawn interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City of late. All four teams have been informed about the aforesaid agreement.

So far this season, Gyokeres has found the back of the net 14 times and recorded four assists in 14 total matches for Sporting. He has also registered four goals and three assists in four games for Sweden so far.

Chelsea legend reveals what former club must do to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Blues legend Didier Drogba has offered his former club some advice on how to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal. He said:

"First of all, I think the league is not easy. They will need to focus on the league and make sure that they perform because it is a very demanding one, but when you play at the highest level, you need to be ready for everything."

Urging Chelsea to be more consistent, the Ivorian concluded:

"That is what it takes to become one of the greatest: to be able to really face every challenge, prepare for the biggest competitions and perform, which is not easy to do. That is why only a few of these players are so called the best."

Manchester City have lifted the Premier League trophy four times in a row. Arsenal have finished second behind City in the last two seasons.

Chelsea, meanwhile, achieved a 12th-place and a sixth-place finish in the past two campaigns. They are currently just a point behind Arsenal in the league standings, boasting a decent 17 points from nine matches.