Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres may reportedly be available for a lower fee than previously anticipated this summer.
Last summer, Sporting beat a whole range of clubs to win the race for the then-Coventry City forward, paying in the region of €24m.
Since then, though, the Sweden international has emerged as one of the best-performing strikers in world football during 2023-24, contributing a remarkable 36 goals and 14 assists from 39 appearances.
With Gyokeres on a contract until 2028, Sporting do not necessarily have to consider a sale during the next transfer window, despite the obvious interest.
Furthermore, a release clause of €100m (£85.7m) is said to be present in that deal, providing admirers with a benchmark of what they can expect to have to pay.
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Nevertheless, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, a situation could arise where Sporting are prepared to part ways with Gyokeres for half of that figure.
The report suggests that any one of a number of suitors could have success if they present a €50m (£42.9m) proposal to the Portuguese giants.
AC Milan are specifically touted as a potential destination with the Italian outfit likely to have to find a replacement for Olivier Giroud, who could move to MLS.
Gyokeres' Swedish compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become a senior advisor at San Siro and it has been suggested that he could have an influence in any negotiations.
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Arsenal and Chelsea have each been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old for many months at a time when each are in the market for a new central forward.
The two Premier League clubs allegedly remain as the frontrunners due to being able to offer more money for Gyokeres in terms of transfer fee and wages.
Gyokeres has recently spoken on the recent speculation regarding his future, admitting that his association with clubs of such standing is "fun to talk about".
Such has been his improvement at Sporting that Gyokeres is just seven goals short of the 43 that he scored for Coventry in 116 matches, 77 short of his total for his current club.
Darren Plant
