Viktor Gyokeres passes Arsenal audition vs Man City as £40m message sent

Viktor Gyokeres showed why Arsenal are interested in signing him with an impressive performance for Sporting CP against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Swede, who has been in fine form so far this season, scored a hat-trick as Ruben Amorim's side beat Pep Guardiola's City 4-1 in Lisbon.

City dominated the opening stages at Estadio Jose Alvalade and took the lead when Phil Foden fired home in the fourth minute. Gyokeres then missed a golden chance to equalise as he ran clean through on goal and tried to clip the ball over Ederson, but the City 'keeper stood tall and claimed the shot.

However, Gyokeres didn't let that effect him as he equalised for Sporting in the 38th minute. The 26-year-old burst through behind the City backline before using his strength to hold off Jahmai Simpson-Purey and slot the ball into the bottom corner.

In fairness, Sporting were not at their best in the first half but started the second period much better and on the front foot. They made their fast start count as Maximiliano Araujo put them ahead before Gyokeres was presented with the chance to add his second of the game from the penalty spot. He didn't pass up that opportunity as he emphatically slammed home past Ederson.

After Erling Haaland missed the chance to give City a lifeline from 12 yards, referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot for the third time in the match as Gyokeres got the chance to complete his hat-trick. The former Coventry striker made no mistake and struck the ball with pace and into the bottom corner.

Gyokeres could have added another to his name after going through inside the left channel but too much time before Ederson closed down the angle and saved his strike. That miss didn't impact the result, however, as Sporting shocked City to run out 4-1 winners with Gyokeres the star of the show once again.

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Asked if Gyokeres is a 'proper striker', Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime commentary during the Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen game: "With numbers like that absolutely. He’s just put another £40million on his price tag as well."

Arsenal are among those that have been linked to sign Gyokeres, who admitted back in September that he could be open to leaving Sporting amid an aim to test himself at a 'higher level' in the future. Gyokeres has 59 goals in 65 appearances since joining the Portuguese side from Coventry for £16.8million plus add-ons in June 2023.

"I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can't complain about anything, so it's absolutely no problem for me to stay," Gyokeres told Sport Bladet. "Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress."

Gyokeres is also reported to have a €100m (£83.7m) release clause in his contract at Sporting. He was asked about the price tag and whether or not he feels the fee is too steep.

"It was probably a bit too much because nothing came of it," said Gyokeres. "Of course, it's a lot of money. But we'll see what happens next window."

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