European giants make Viktor Gyokeres 'number one target' in huge blow to Premier League clubs

A European club has made Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres their number one target for the summer transfer window, it has been reported.

Gyokeres has been linked with a return back to English football this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United believed to be interested in signing him.

The Swede formerly played in English football for Brighton, Swansea and Coventry, before sealing a £20.5 million move to Sporting in 2023.

He has smashed in 68 goals in 69 Liga Portugal games - including a league-record haul of 39 this season - attracting the attention of every club across Europe.

Gyokeres is also proving himself on the continental stage, with 11 Champions League goals over the past two seasons.

And according to Portuguese outlet Record, one of those teams from this season's Champions League has made their interest clear.

It is claimed that Atletico Madrid have made the 26-year-old - who turns 27 on June 4 - their 'number one target' for the summer.

Their forward trio of Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth and Angel Correa are all said to be 'likely to leave' before the window shuts, leaving Atletico to require reinforcements if that were to be the case.

The Alvarez claim, however, directly contradicts what club president Enrique Cerezo has said about the Atletico star's future.

Speaking to Marca on Monday, Cerezo stated: "Julian Alvarez is an Atletico Madrid player and will be an Atletico Madrid player."

United, meanwhile, may already have switched attention to targets other than Gyokeres.

Man Utd have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves (Image: Twitter/@ManUtd)

According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, a move to United is not the 'objective' of Gyokeres, with Ruben Amorim's side instead completing a £62.5 million move to sign Matheus Cunha.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has also signalled his intentions to move to Old Trafford, with United expected to launch a bid imminently.