The Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga has taken a fresh twist after it emerged that Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign him.
Sporting Lisbon’s prolific striker is set to leave the Portuguese club this summer having amassed nearly a century of goals over the course of the last two seasons.
The 27-year-old is currently at the centre of a tug of war between Arsenal and Manchester United, both of whom are desperate to sign a centre forward this summer.
Arsenal are said to be in pole position to sign Gyokeres, despite United appearing to have an advantage given the player thrived under Ruben Amorim at Sporting.
The former Coventry City forward has a a release clause of £84m but is available for closer to £70m, however, the Gunners are said to be growing frustrated with the complexity of the negotiations.
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Juventus were reported to have entered the running earlier this week while, according to The Athletic, Real have been alerted to a potential market opportunity.
The Spanish champions are admirers of the striker but turned down the opportunity to sign Gyokeres for two reasons.
They fear the cost of the transfer does not represent value for money and believe a signing of that magnitude befits a player who would command, or expect, a starting role.
Real are in the market for a support striker in the mold of Joselu who proved to be a useful squad option during Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure.
Endrick’s hamstring injury means Gonzalo Garcia, from the Castilla reserve team who play in the Spanish third division, will be Madrid’s reserve forward at the Club World Cup.
Real have already struck a deal to sign River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono.
The 17-year-old Mastantuono will join in August, meaning he will play for River at the Club World Cup.
Mastantuono is Real’s third signing of the off-season after adding defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.
Mastantuono, who was a promising tennis player before he committed to football, became Argentina’s youngest debutant when he came off the bench last week in the national team’s 1-0 victory over Chile in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
He scored four goals and provided two assists for River in the first part of the Argentinian league this season, including a goal from a free kick to help beat fierce rival Boca Juniors.
River said that Madrid triggered Mastantuono’s buyout clause of €63m, making it the most expensive transfer in the history of Argentine soccer. River will earn €45m, with the rest going to taxes and fees.
